| UNSTARRED |
QUESTION NO: |
4293 |
| SETHU SAMUDRAM PROJECT |
| SHASHI THAROOR |
Will the Minister of
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SHIPPING |
be pleased to state:-
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(a) whether Sethu Samudram Shipping Canal Project would facilitate ships going around the Indian coast to avoid Sri Lanka ports;
(b) if so, whether likely ecological damage from project and disruption of the lives of fishermen/railway services along with high estimated costs make the project unviable;
(c) if so, the details thereof and action taken in this regard;
(d) whether the Union Government proposes to develop Vizhinjam port as a trans-shipment hub instead of Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor? |
| ANSWER |
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a) Yes, Madam.
(b)&(c): Recently, M/s Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) has conducted a pre-feasibility study on alternate route through Pamban Channel for avoiding the Adam’s Bridge area and environment impact assessment was not a part of that study.
(d)&(e): The Empowered Committee under Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs on 29.10.2014 has recommended for ‘in principle’ approval for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) under the “Scheme and Guidelines for financial support to Public Private Partnerships in Infrastructure” for development of a non-major port at Vizhinjam, in the State of Kerala, on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis with a total project cost of Rs3930 crores subject to the condition that Government of Kerala will be submitting the revised documents including schedules and compliance of the directions of Empowered Committee with respect to the project. |
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