'Karwar Naval base will be Asia's biggest naval base', Rajnath Singh

Karwar, June 25: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Karwar Naval Base here to review the progress of ongoing infrastructure development under ‘Project Seabird’. After the completion of the project, he hoped that the Kawar Naval Base would become Asia's largest Naval base which would further bolster the operational readiness of the Armed Forces and help in augmenting trade, economy & humanitarian aid operations.

 

 

 

The Minister said, "I was always curious to see and understand Project Seabird because once I had stayed for a night on INS Vikramaditya and when I and Admiral Karambir Singh were returning on the helicopter, he showed me from the sky, that this is Karwar. That day I had seen Karwar from the skies, but today I felt very happy to be able to see it from so near. I can say that my confidence towards this naval base has increased."

 

 

 

"I believe that after the completion of this project, whatever security-related preparations we have been doing, it will not only strengthen that but also facilitate trade, economy and the humanitarian aid we provide," added the Defence Minister.

 

Accompanied by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Singh undertook an aerial survey of the Project Area and Sites before arriving at the INS Kadamba Heli Pad. The visiting dignitaries were received by Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar and Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area, Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh.

 

 

The Raksha Mantri inspected the ongoing works at the Naval Base and received on-site briefings including capability demonstration at the Shiplift Tower. He also undertook a tour of the Naval Harbour and reviewed the marine works/infrastructure being developed as part of Project Seabird Phase II A as also operationalisation of Piers. Shri Rajnath Singh visited the newly-constructed Sailors Married Accommodation which incorporates advanced features for water efficiency, handling of house-hold waste, energy efficiency and provides environment-friendly houses.

 

Singh also visited the Indian Navy's Shiplift Control Tower and Pier 2 at Karwar. The first phase of construction of the base, code-named Project Seabird, was completed in 2005. Development of Phase II commenced in 2011. INS Kadamba is currently the third-largest Indian naval base, and is expected to become the largest naval base in the eastern hemisphere after completion of expansion Phase II.

 

 

On August 1, 2002, the Government of India had accorded its approval in 1995 for the execution of the first phase of the Project Seabird at a revised completion cost of Rs. 1294.41 crore. The project would enable 10 ships and 10-yard crafts for refit and maintenance.