Raksha
Mantri, Rajnath Singh visited the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka recently to review the progress of ongoing infrastructure
development under ‘Project Seabird’. Accompanied by Chief of the Naval
Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Rajnath Singh undertook an aerial
survey of the Project Area and Sites before arriving at the INS Kadamba
Heli Pad.
Singh 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. Singh also 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 interacted with Project Seabird Contractors &
Engineers and Officers, Sailors & Civilians of Karwar Naval Base. In
his address, he expressed satisfaction at the progress of works being
carried out under ‘Project Seabird’. He hoped that after the completion
of the project, 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.
Raksha Mantri complimented the Indian Navy for being a strong arm of
the Armed Forces that is making an invaluable contribution towards
maritime and national security, besides strengthening India's position
at the strategic as well as diplomatic & commercial levels. He
stated that the Navy is successfully discharging its duties of
protecting the country, which through its coastline of more than 7,500
kms, about 1,300 islands and an exclusive economic zone of 2.5 million
sq kms, is playing a crucial role in the development of the world. Singh added that the Navy is continuously strengthening India’s
relations with its maritime neighbours with focus on 'SAGAR' (Security
& Growth for All in Region) envisioned by The PM, Narendra Modi. He also praised the role of Indian Navy during Goa
Liberation War of 1961 and the 1971 Indo-Pak war among others.
Singh
said more than two-thirds of Navy's modernisation budget has been spent
on indigenous procurement in the last five financial years. Lauding
Navy’s commitment towards ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’, he stated that out of
the 48 ships and submarines, 46 are being inducted through indigenous
construction. The Raksha Mantri described Indigenous Aircraft Carrier
Vikrant as a shining example of Navy's self-reliance efforts. He said
the commissioning of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant will be a
momentous occasion in the history of Indian defence as it is coinciding
with the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence. He
expressed confidence that Indian Navy will become one of the top three
Navies in the world in the coming years and continue to play a crucial
role in protecting the nation.
