The Hindu Business Line : Naval base in Karwar to be ready next year

Six ships of the Indian Navy will be permanently based in Karwar after the completion of the first phase, according to Commodore K.P. Ramachandran, Naval Officer in-charge, Karnataka.

INS Kadamba was commissioned on May 31. The Naval base inducted first of the six ships — INS Aditya, an oil tanker — at Karwar on December 17.

Addressing newspersons on board INS Subhadhra in Mangalore on Monday, he said that INS Nirdeshak, a survey ship, would be based at Karwar Naval base from January.

Many Naval ships from Mumbai will be based in Karwar after the completion of the work on the first phase. Progressive basing of ships aimed at decongesting Mumbai port has begun in Karwar, he said.

The ship lift facility, which is one of its kind in the country, will also be commissioned at INS Kadamba by next year. This facility will help in repairing the underwater portion and hull of the ship.

INHS Patanjali, a super speciality hospital, will also be set up at the Naval base. There are also plans to set up a missile boat museum on the beach in Karwar, Commodore Ramachandran said.

Asked about the remaining phases of work on INS Kadamba, he said papers are being prepared for the second and third phases. There are plans to set up an airport in the later phases. INS Kadamba is the only Naval base capable of allowing the aircraft carrier — INS Vikramaditya — to operate.

Flag Officer next year

A Flag Officer will be in place in Karwar by next year, Commodore Ramachandran said. He will look after the fleet at Karwar. The officer will be in the rank of Rear Admiral.

Though envisaged as project `Sea Bird' two decades ago, the Naval base has been named as INS Kadamba. The naval base covers 11,200 acres of land and stretches over 25 km of coastline.