Question : PASSENGER-CUM-CARGO SHIP FOR LAKSHADWEEP

(a) whether a passenger-cum-cargo ship is under construction at HSL, Visakhapatnam for the UT of Lakshadweep;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the time by which the ship will be operational;

(d) whether some eastern side embarkation jetties are also under construction in various islands of Lakshadweep;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the time-frame for the completion of these jetties;

(f) whether the Government proposes to construct similar jetties in remaining islands; and

(g) if so, the details thereof ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a) to (c): The Union Territory of Lakshadweep (UTL) Administration signed a contract with M/s. Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam on 14.09.2000 for construction of one 700 Passenger-cum-160 M.T. Cargo Vessel at a total cost of Rs.129.62 crores with a delivery period of 29 months i.e. by February, 2003. Due to severe financial crunch, HSL could not construct the vessel in time. HSL has now informed that the overall completion of the vessel is around 91% and the vessel is planned for handing over to UTL Administration in September, 2007.

(d) & (e): The construction of Eastern Side Embarkation Facilities in the Islands of Minicoy, Amini, Agathi and Kavaratti were approved by the Government on 26.12.2003. The details are as follows:-

Name of the Project	Estimated cost	Projected date	(Rs. in crores)	of completion
1.	Construction of Eastern Side	19.86	December, 2008	Embarkation Facilities in the	Island of Minicory
2.	Construction of Eastern Side	21.51	December, 2008	Embarkation Facilities at	Amini
3.	Construction of Eastern Side	19.48	March, 2009	Embarkation Facilities at	Agathi
4.	Construction of Eastern Side	20.44	March, 2009	Embarkation Facilities at	Kavaratti