The Hindu Business Line : `Environment Ministry has cleared Sethusamudram'

THE Union Ministry for Environment and Forests has cleared the Rs 2,200-crore Sethusamudram project with a provision that fishermen affected by the project would be compensated, according to the Union Minister for Shipping, Mr T. R. Baalu.

He said that 2 per cent of the project cost would be set aside for expenses to rehabilitate those who may be affected by the project. The ship canal project envisages cutting a navigable channel to connect the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar, now separated by a shallow water area referred to as the Adam's Bridge, near Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. The project, which had been in incubation for decades, was revived a few years back by the BJP-led Government.

Now the way is clear for the project to go for Cabinet approval. But this could take some time because of further paper work in the Planning Commission and various ministries, including the Finance Ministry. Mr Baalu said that the objections expressed during the public hearing in Tamil Nadu have been examined and experts have said that there is no cause for anxiety.

Following the tsunami, the Shipping Ministry had again commissioned a survey of the area and 43 borehole tests were done there. Results have indicated that there would be no problem inthe project coming up.

The Minister said that the budgetary allocation was not a problem for the project. Initial allocations could be small, but funds would come in as soon as the project is started.

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