(a) whether the Government proposes to take up the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project to provide a direct navigable route within Indian territorial waters between the country`s East and West coasts;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the names of the coastal areas of the country likely to be benefited on account of the project?
MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a) to (c) Yes, Sir. The Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project envisages cutting of a ship channel to connect the Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal through Palk Bay and Palk Strait so that most of the ships, depending on draft required, moving between the east and the west coast of India, could have a continuous navigable sea route around the Peninsula within India`s own territorial waters. The channel will save upto 424 nautical miles of navigable distance and upto 30 hours of sailing time for ships sailing between the east and the west coast of the country. The entire coast is expected to witness spurt in economic growth.