Sethu project to be over as scheduled: Baalu

Chennai, Feb 22 (UNI) Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu today said six ships were involved in dredging works in Palk Straits under the Sethusamudram Shipping canal project (SSCP) and the works would be completed as per the schedule.

In an informal chat with reporters on the sidelines of a function here, he said six ships were currently working in the Palk Straits area.

''Two more ships will be deployed soon and the works will be completed as per the schedule,'' he added.

Asked for his reaction to the remarks made by AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa on the project, Mr Baalu refused to make any comment.

He said Chief Minister M Karunanidhi would soon lay the foundation stone for the 19.2 km-long four-lane highway to link War Memorial near the Secretariat and Madhuravoyal, to be built at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore.

The project would ensure quicker movement of freight from the Chennai Harbour to different places of Tamil Nadu and the metros, ports and other cities of India through Golden Quadrilateral and the North-South Corridor being built by the Ministry under the National Highways Development Project.

Among other major projects in the state, he said remaining portion of the work on the North-South Corridor would be completed by November, while pending works on the Golden Quadrilateral would be completed in the next 18 months.

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