Ballu denies whale death due to dredging

Chennai, Nov 6 (UNI) Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu today denied that dredging for Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project had led to deaths of wales along the Gulf of Mannar in the last nine months.

Talking to newspersons here, he dismissed as unfounded the claim by the Movement Against Sethusamudram Shipping Canal (MASSC) that the manifold increase in the death of blue, sei and sperm whales, was triggered by dredging operation.

'We have taken all precautionary steps to preserve marine biodiversity,' Mr Baalu said, adding, the environment issues had been taken care of by the authorities.

He said the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), awarded dredging work in the 'D' segment in the Palk Straits for 13.57 km and 13.55 million cubic metre, had completed to date eight million cubic metre.

As decided by the Centre, the DCI would take up dredging in the remaining A, B (in the Adams Bridge area) and C segments. He said the government's vessel 'Aquaris', which had been given on lease, would be brought back and involved in the dredging work. 'We are also planning to acquire three or four vessels on contract basis to speed up the work,' he said.

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