Date:02/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/02/stories/2006060210580100.htm

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4 firms shortlisted for dredging

Special Correspondent

Sethu project contract likely to be awarded by August 1; work to begin by October 1

Tender was cancelled after the bidder sought Rs. 200 crore advance

Entire project to be completed by November 2008

CHENNAI: Fresh bids have been called for dredging of three sections under the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project.

This follows the cancellation of the previous tender, Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R. Baalu said here on Thursday. Four firms had been short-listed and they included a joint venture floated by the Dredging Corporation.

The previous tender was cancelled as the lowest bidder identified by the authorities sought a mobilisation advance of Rs. 200 crore, which the Government found unacceptable. "I myself cancelled it," Mr. Baalu told a press conference.

He said the contract was likely to be awarded by August 1. Work would begin by October 1. "We will be able to complete the project by November 2008."

The proposed channel had been divided into four sections, of which one was entrusted to the Dredging Corporation last year. This section was located north of the Palk Strait and the Corporation had dredged about 5.34 million cubic metres of the targeted quantity of 13.5 million cubic metres. "The work will be completed by July 2007."

In view of the establishment of Sethusamudram Channel, it was proposed to improve facilities at the Tuticorin port and make it a regional transhipment hub. Final approval for a Rs. 150-crore second container berth would be given in July.

Administrative sanction would be given shortly to develop the inner harbour at a cost of Rs. 685 crore. A Rs. 3,200-crore plan had been drawn up for the outer harbour and the project would be carried out through the build-operate-transfer mode.

Expansion projects were also underway for Chennai and Ennore ports. Chennai Port would soon celebrate its 125th anniversary.

The Prime Minister and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister would be invited for the function.

The proposed Maritime University, to be located at Semmanacheri (near Chennai), would offer courses in disciplines such as nautical sciences, maritime engineering, commerce and business management/law and transport logistics. A committee headed by M. Anandakrishnan, former Anna University Vice-Chancellor, had been set up to go into issues concerning establishment of the university.

Mr. Baalu announced the Centre's notification of two additional national highways for the State — Thanjavur-Manamadurai (length: 144 km) and Tiruchi-Chidambaram (135 km). Six other roads in different parts of the country had also been declared national highways.