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Title: Need to safeguard the interests of local people while implementing Sethu Samudram Ship Canal Project in Tamil Nadu.
(RAMANATHAPURAM): Sir, the Sethu Samudram Ship Canal Project is an age-old project initiated several decades back but did not materialise all these years. But luckily it is taking shape. Thanks to the commitment and pursuit now shown. It is now learnt that the feasibility and viability report has been almost ready and is in the process of finalisation. While so, it is rumoured that the proposed feasibility report has grossly bypassed the interest and aspirations of the local area of the project under some pretext or the other by taking the course (route) of the canal for beyond the land area neglecting and ignoring the formation of a fishing harbour/port in the Rameswaram Coastal Belt. If it is so, it would be a gross injustice to the area, and it would be just and fair to have a re-look of this aspect, in general, and the project area (Rameswaram neighbourhood) in particular.
I, therefore, urge upon the hon. Minister for Shipping and the hon. Prime Minister of India to personally intervene and arrange for safeguarding the interest and promotion of the local area first and foremost.