Original news was published on 21 July, 2014

Entire project to be completed in five years

Nicaraguan officials have revealed further details about the construction of its US$40 billion inter-ocean canal. The route extends from the southeastern coastal city of Brito to the mouth of Punta Gorda river in the Caribbean, passing through more than 105 kilometers of Lake Nicaragua.

The Great Canal Commission and representatives of the Chinese HKND Group, who have the rights to build the canal, made it clear Nicaragua would retain jurisdiction of the the route. The canal route would remain Nicaraguan, not Chinese, territory, Telémaco Talavera, a member of the commission, said in a press conference covered by La Prensa. But territorial ownership is not the only concern about the ambitious project.

During the commission meeting last week, members of the Indigenous Monéxico Council of Nicaragua protested the project. They fear the canal could jeopardize natural resources and destroy their cultural heritage.

At the meeting, a concern was also raised about the possible contamination of Lake Nicaragua with salt water from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Talavera said planned floodgates would prevent such contamination.

As previously announced, work will begin in December of this year. Initial construction will consist of building a new port in Brito, which will provide access for the heavy equipment and components needed to build the canal. In all, the project includes two ports, bridges, an airport, a free trade zone, a tourist center and road development. The committee also said the Nicaragua Canal will be completed in five years, which means it should be operational by the end of 2019.

*NEWS SOURCE