TUTICORIN: The Sethusamudram project, which will connect the Gulf of Mannar with Palk Bay, will not have any adverse impact on the environment.

On the contrary, the project, to be undertaken at a cost of Rs. 2,233 crores, would have a dissipating effect if any tsunami strikes the east coast, Union Minister for Shipping, Ports and Highways T.R. Baalu said on Sunday.

Talking to newspersons here after inspecting sites for holding a formal function to signal the commencement of the project, Mr. Baalu said the Cooum in Chennai did not have any adverse impact on the University of Madras buildings when the tsunami struck in December last. Post-tsunami studies in the Gulf of Mannar had revealed that instead of having an adverse effect, the Sethusamudram channel would have a dissipating impact. "Sethusamudram channel will control tsunami."

Referring to Sri Lanka's apprehensions over the impact on the environment, he said all issues raised by that country's experts had been addressed by officials from the Ministry of Shipping. Tests had been conducted in the Bay of Bengal at a cost of Rs. 3 crores. Mr. Baalu said they were now prepared with scientific data to answer any queries on the alleged adverse effects of the project. "If there is any justification in what they say and if it is technically important," the Indian Government would incorporate necessary changes in the project. Such changes could be carried out even when the project was being executed.

The project was primarily meant to benefit fishermen and there was no need for any apprehension over livelihood or safety issues. To augment fishing activity in the region, it was proposed to develop harbours at Rameswaram, Mallipattinam, Nagapattinam, Sethubavachathram and Thondi. The Centre was ready to develop either Rameswaram or Mandapam as a minor port for maintenance of ships and berthing small vessles. But no proposal had been received from the State Government, he said.

Four-lane road

The Union Cabinet had accorded its approval for converting the Madurai-Aruppukottai-Tuticorin highway into a four-lane road under the port connectivity scheme of the National Highway Development Project III. The work would be taken up at a cost of around Rs. 650 crores.

The Sethusamudram channel project office would be located at Rameswaram. Reclamation of a portion of the lost land in Dhanushkodi was not on the agenda as the State Government had not shown any interest. (The reclamation, estimated to cost Rs. 100 crores, was part of the original plan.) Also, there was no proposal to construct a bridge to connect Rameswaram with Sri Lanka, Mr. Baalu said.

The inaugural function would be held in the third week of this month at either Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram or Madurai, he added.

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