Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Another naval base in the offing

Staff Reporter

A base in 5,000 acres south of Visakhapatnam is being looked into, says chief

MORE PUNCH: Admiral Arun Prakash, Chief of Naval Staff, reviewing a parade at an investiture ceremony held at INS Circar grounds in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. Vice-Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, is at his right.— Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Navy is in the process of taking possession of 5,000 acres near Visakhapatnam for developing an additional naval base in the Eastern Naval Command.

Confirming this during a chat with reporters here on Wednesday, Admiral Arun Prakash, Chief of Naval Staff, said they were looking towards the south of Visakhapatnam for the new base as the existing one had become crowded.

``We have a narrow entrance to the port. Hence, we want to build the base, south of Visakhapatnam with all the required infrastructure. The response from the Andhra Pradesh Government is very positive,'' he stated.

The Chief of Navy said negotiations were on in the process for the relocation of the villagers and payment of compensation to them as part of rehabilitation and resettlement policy.

Navy's submarine arm headquarters and marine commandos training centre are located in Visakhapatnam.

Blue water Navy

Admiral Arun Prakash said they had prepared a roadmap to develop a true blue water Navy by 2015 with two aircraft carriers, escorting ships and advanced capability in anti-aircraft, submarine and amphibious capability.

He said plans were in place for next 15 years including some short-term plans to augment the capacity of the Navy. The Government had also accorded in-principle clearance to the proposals.

"We are very happy that the Navy has been given 17.5 per cent of Defence budget which is quite adequate,'' he remarked.

Earlier, he reviewed the security situation, Navy's present capabilities, emerging situation in Sri Lanka and Year of Sailors being observed by the Navy with Vice-Admiral Sureesh Mehta and other senior officials.

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