TN urges Center to fully fund Pamban Canal dredging and Rameswaram development
This channel is important for maritime trade from the east coast to the west coast, says EV Velu
This channel is important for maritime trade from the east coast to the west coast, says EV Velu
The Government of Tamil Nadu has asked the Center to consider providing 100% financial assistance for the implementation of two projects in the state: the dredging of the Pamban Canal and the holistic development of Rameswaram Island.
Minister for Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports, EV Velu, made the request during a meeting of the National Sagarmala Apex Committee in New Delhi on Friday.
The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, along with other Union ministers and senior ministers and ministers from coastal states attended the meeting.
Velu said the Pamban Canal connects the east and west coasts of the country by sea and has a depth of 2 meters. Small ships and fishing boats use it for transit.
“This is an important canal in the south coast of India for maritime trade from the east coast to the west coast, which needs to be developed by deepening. Indian Railways is constructing a new railway bridge with an automatic lift span in the middle. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board has conducted a feasibility study to dredge the Pamban Canal up to 10 meters,” he said.
The Pamban Channel was important for the Navy and Coast Guard to operate ships and would help improve coastal trade through small and medium sized vessels. “This important canal will complete the Sagarmala Range in the southern part of India. Its dredging is therefore essential,” he said.
As Rameswaram was an important town, the government of Tamil Nadu intended to develop the coastal areas of the island in line with the Union Government’s Holistic Island Development Program by operating a ferry service for pilgrims and tourists visiting Ramanathaswamy Temple, he said. “A new proposal, with a detailed project report, will be forwarded for the construction of passenger jetties around the island,” he said.
Mr. Velu said that the development works started in the minor ports of Cuddalore and Kanniyakumari with the financial support of the Center under the Sagarmala program were ongoing. “Works at the minor port of Cuddalore are almost complete and the government of Tamil Nadu is taking steps to commission the port. This will create employment opportunities and increase the cargo handling capacity of the small port.