Save INS Viraat from scrap dealersac

Visakhapatnam: Is the Defence Ministry has decided to scrap the India’s another prestigious warship INS Viraat like INS Vikranth? There are several allegations on the Central government that not considering her services into the country, the NDA government is mooting to sell another decommissioned major warship INS Viraat to the iron scarp dealers.

The Defence Ministry is not interested to invest even a Rs 1 on INS Viraat further and is making trails to scrap the vessel into iron pieces, several defence personnel particularly from the Indian Navy pointing out.

INS Viraat, the oldest aircraft carrier in service in the world, was decommissioned in March 2017. With the rich experience in shaping INS Kurusura into a world-class submarine museum, Andhra Pradesh government has come forward to convert the INS Viraat into warship museum and a world-class tourism attraction centre. The Andhra Pradesh Government urged the Defence Ministry to handover the warship and assured to convert the warship into a world-class tourism attraction centre.

After a series of developments, studies and viability of the project, the State government almost backed out from the project. In fact, the State government directed the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), the present Visakhapatnam Metro Region Development Authority, AP Revenue Department and AP Tourism to work out the plans for converting INS Viraat into warship museum.

“In fact, we have worked out several plans including spotting the required land for about 15 acres and also held discussions with private parties to convert the ship into a world-class museum. But, after the studies, the private parties expressed that the project is not viable in terms of returns. Later, the government is also kept aside the project,” a senior IAS officer told The Hans India.

In this backdrop, some veteran sailors of Indian Navy strongly pointed out the government’s gross negligence in saving the most prestigious warship, which served the nation over decades. Terming their painful efforts to save the INS Vikranth, which was scrapped, the veteran sailors are now urging the governments, NGOs and people to come forward to save at least the INS Viraat.

“I am much surprised about studies which reveals that Rs 1,000 crore and needs over 100 acres of land to convert the ship into a warship museum and a tourist attraction centre. If, the government allots maximum 30 acres of land and Rs 300 crore funds enough to convert the ship into a museum.

The people of both Telugu states share Rs 10 per head, the ship could be converted into a museum, if the government helpless to invest. We have already prepared a project report and sent to the Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh and Head of the AP Tourism.

The INS Viraat Project will also create thousands of jobs both directly and indirectly. The government must think about it,” said former sailor, INS Vikranth and president of Visakha Veterans (NGO for ensuring safety and security for the next generation and beyond), Lawrance Nathaniel.