Work on SSCP to be completed by Dec-2008

New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport&Highways T R Baalu today said work on the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project (SSCP) would be completed by December, 2008.

He made the statement after reviewing progress of the project with the officials of the Sethusamudram Corporation Lmd (SCL) and Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), besides other concerned agencies.

The DCI, which is carrying out the dredging works, said five dredgers are deployed for the job - four at Adam's Bridge area and one at Palk Bay (Pak Strait). A total of 18.74 million cubic metres of dredging has been carried out, DCI added.

The Minister directed officials to rework inspection schedule of the dredging work to ensure that the progress of work on the Project is continuously monitored and problem areas are taken care of immediately.

Mr Baalu directed the SSCP officials to finalise negotiations with Japenese Kojimagumi company, which has offered the world's largest grab dredger to accelerate the pace of the project. The Minister held a meeting with the company Chairman.

He also reviewed progress of repair of dredger Aquarius and expressed his satisfaction, an official statement said this evening.

The dry docking would be completed by October when the next working season of the project resumes after south-west monsoon. The procurement of barge handling system for dredger Aquarius, which would greatly improve its productivity, is also being finalised and will be installed on dredger Aquarius by November, the statement added.

UNI