Dredging works in remaining phase of SSCP to begin in October

Chennai, June 2 (UNI) Dredging work on the Adams Bridge and in South of Palk Strait under the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP) would begin on October 1, Union Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister T R Baalu said.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, he said four companies -- Hyundai, Kan-De Nul, a joint venture of Dredging Interntional and Dredging Corporation of India and Vanoord -- have prequalified for the bidding.

The pre-bid meeting was being held in Tuticorin Port Trust and the tenders would be filed by June 15.

The Letter of Intent would be issued on August one and the company should start dredging work on October one this year and should complete it before November one next year, he added.

He said fresh bids were being called for dredging as the previous conditional bid by Hyundai was cancelled. The company had putforth certain conditions and sought a mobilisation advance of Rs 200 crore from the government.

Mr Baalu said of the total 13.5 million cubic metres of dredging works in the North of Palk Strait, 5.34 million cubic metres were completed as on date.

'' We have completed about 35 per cent of dredging works, which started on July two last year. By July next year, the remaining dredging works in the north of Palk Straits will be completed'', he said and added that the SSCP would be completed ahead of schedule.

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