Fate of INS Viraat hangs in balance

Visakhapatnam: The state government’s Detailed Project Report on INS Viraat, the decommissioned warship, was still hanging in balance at the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Though the state government is keen to develop the INS Viraat into a major tourist attraction, the NDA government is not according permission to handover the Viraat to Andhra Pradesh.

With the government directive, the district administration, VUDA, GVMC and AP Tourism jointly taken up the project to develop various attractions in the ship. Though some of the naval officials alerted the government that the project may not be viable as it needs careful maintenance which is costly, but the state government has decided to take up the project and submitted the DPR to the MoD.

“The maintenance of the warship would require not only expert manpower but also the huge amount which could run into crores. The submarine museum INS Kurusura is different as it was placed on the beach. But INS Viraat should be developed into a floating attraction for which it needs a huge amount,” a senior naval official told The Hans India. He further stated that to create more facilities at the attraction, minimum 10 acres of land is required.

In fact, the MoD also asked the experts to clarify the strengths of the ship to develop it into a tourist attraction. It is not correct that the MoD apparently taking time to respond to the state government. In fact, Goa is keen on the project, the naval official said.

As per the DPR, INS Viraat project needs around Rs 350 crore for the basic refurbishment of the ship and berthing it at the identified location. Remaining attractions on the aircraft museum will be developed in PPP mode. The aircraft carrier will have a maritime museum, 170 room hotel, a convention centre and also a corporate training centre with 200 seating capacity.