The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), has cleared the Rs 13,000 Crore expansion plan for the Karwar naval base in coastal Karnataka, which will eventually house two aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.
“Inaugurated by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in October 1986, work on phase-I of the project was completed after two decades at a cost of Rs 2,628.82 crore. In phase-I, berthing facilities for 11 ships and 10 yard crafts were created, along with an airstrip and a residential township. The initial cost estimate was Rs 350 crore.
Karwar Naval Base ( Image Courtesy - defenseindustrydaily.com )
In phase-II, berthing facility will be enhanced significantly, besides creating a dockyard and a full-fledged airbase. There will also be logistics and other support centres, a Navy officer said. After its completion, the Karwar base will house 30 warships.
On Monday, Defence Minister A K Antony informed Parliament that expansion of the Karwar Naval base was in line with India's strategic concerns and operational readiness. The delay in approving phase-II of Project Sea Bird was due to unavailability of Indian companies which are eligible to undertake projects of such magnitude.
News Courtesy - deccanherald.com
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