Parliament Question: Setting up of International Passenger Terminal at Rameshwaram

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *45 ANSWERED ON 03.02.2026 SETTING UP OF INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER TERMINAL AT RAMESHWARAM *45. SHRI R. GIRIRAJAN: Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared by the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) of IIT Madras for setting up an international passenger terminal at Rameshwaram, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether Government proposes to accord early approval, given the tourism, economic, cultural and connectivity benefits of the proposed ferry service; and (c) the timeframe within which the project is likely to be approved and implemented? ANSWER MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL) (a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *45 ANSWERED ON 3RD FEBRUARY, 2026 RAISED BY SHRI R. GIRIRAJAN REGARDING “SETTING UP OF INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER TERMINAL AT RAMESHWARAM”. (a)to(c)Yes, Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (TNMB) submitted Detailed Project Report (DPR),prepared by National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC),for development of passenger terminal at Rameswaram, for resumption of passenger ferry service between Rameswaram (India) and Thalaimannar (Srilanka), on 11.02.2025at a cost of Rs. 118.50 crore,which was revised to Rs. 111.89 croreon22.04.2025.On examination, it was observed that certaintechnical modifications in the DPR are required. Additionally, environment and coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) clearances for the project arenot available.The TNMB has been informed to remove these deficiencies in the DPR and obtain environment and CRZ clearances. The Ministry of External Affairs has informed that the necessary infrastructure at Thalaimannar (Sri Lanka) side required for resumption of the said ferry service is also not ready at present. Further, at present sufficient fiscal space is not available under Sagarmala scheme to fund the project. Proposal for Sagarmala 2.0 is under preparation. *****