The Hindu : New Delhi News : “State to go ahead with Sethu project after court verdict”

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Thursday, Jan 03, 2008
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“State to go ahead with Sethu project after court verdict”

P. K. Bhardwaj

Baalu refuses to comment on RSS chief’s observations
Progress of NHAI projects in Tamil Nadu reviewed

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T. R. Baalu said here on Wednesday that the Government would go ahead with the Sethusamudram canal project after the Supreme Court’s verdict on issues pending before it.

He told reporters that the project was “progressing,” but refused to comment on RSS chief K. Sudershan’s observations that it was unviable and being implemented by the Government because of DMK pressure.

“I am a small man to answer him. I avoid answering religious leaders”, was his response to a question on Mr. Sudershan’s remarks. He was ready to answer political parties on all matters connected to the project.

The Minister said the canal would be 12 metres deep and 86 per cent of the world’s ships could navigate through it.

31 projects in State

Mr. Baalu, who reviewed the progress of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) projects in Tamil Nadu, said presently 31 projects, involving expenditure of Rs.9650 crore were in progress covering a length of 1,788 km.

The projects are on the Hosur-Kanyakumari section of north south corridors between Tindivanam and Tiruchi, Tiruchi and Dindigul, Tiruchi and Madurai, Karur and Coimbatore, Coimbator and Mettupalayam, Salem and Kerala border.

Four-laning projects

In addition, four-laning projects between Madurai and Tuticorin, Puducherry and Tindivanam, Thanjavur and Tiruchi, Tiruchi and Karur, and Salem and Ulundurpet have been undertaken. In and around Chennai city two projects – the Chennai bypass and improvement of access to Golden Quadrilateral by providing free-flow facilities – are also under construction.

The schedule

He said 16 projects were expected to be completed in 2008. “Two of them are expected to be completed by July 2008 (Thumipadi-Salem and Lalapet ROB), three (on north-south corridor) by November 2008 and 11 (6 on north-south corridor, 4 between Tiruchi and Madurai and 1 in Chennai city) by December 2008.

The remaining 15 are likely to spill over to 2009, of which six will be completed during the first quarter itself while the remaining 9 projects will spill beyond March 2009,” the Minister said.

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