Rama Setu -2

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comes from Kaun Banega PM thread.


1. In entire tenure of BJP-led NDA, they have been supportive of Sethu Samudram Project.
2. It was in the pre-election manifesto of NDA through AIADMK/DMK, though not of BJP.
3. While they claim to be supporting SSCP, they did nothing to "implement" the project, except doing one research study after the other. (Which is most certainly the sensible thing to do, considering the nature of the project)
4. There was absolutely no 'Sanction', 'Approval', or 'Go-Ahead' or any other executive order in entire tenure of NDA to move ahead with the project.
5. There was no question arising of Rama Setu during NDA tenure, because until then, SSCP design was NOT through Rama Setu, but on the west side of Dhanushkoti, via the island, not through the sea.

so WHO approved the project?

below would help:

from Lok Sabha Archives...

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 4201
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.08.2004

SETHU SAMUDRAM PROJECT IN TAMIL NADU

Member of Lok Sabha SHRI SALARAPATTY KUPPUSAMY KHARVENTHAN 

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased to state:-

(a) whether any survey has been conducted to study the feasibility of the Sethu Samudram Project in Tamil Nadu;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

© whether approval for the project has been accorded;

(d) if so, the time by which the project will be completed; and

(e) if approval has not been accorded, the reasons for delay?

ANSWER
By
MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a) to (e)
The work to conduct detailed Environmental Impact Assessment study and establish Techno-Economic Viability of Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project was entrusted to National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, which has been <span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>recently completed.</span> Tuticorin Port Trust (TPT), which has been designated as nodal agency, has filed an application <span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>on 9.6.2004 with Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board</span> to obtain ‘No Objection Certificate’ to get environmental clearance from the Government of India. The TPT has also applied to the Government of Tamil Nadu in June, 2004 seeking further clearances as required for the project.

Government has proposed that a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)styled ‘Sethusamudram Corporation Ltd.’ be formed for implementation of the project, with major ports of Tuticorin, Chennai, Ennore, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Shipping Corporation of India & Dredging Corporation of India as members of the SPV in the first phase. The tentative cost of the project is estimated to be Rs. 2000 crores.

It has been announced in the <span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>budget speech for the current year, i.e 2004-05</span> that the Government will participate in the funding of this project through a mix of equity support and debt guarantee”.

Consultant to prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been appointed by TPT which is expected to be ready by the end of November, 2004 and <span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>formal approval for the project will be considered after availability of DPR. </span><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->