Kochi: The Indian Navy is ‘interested’ in developing a new battle station in the outer harbour area to be developed by the Cochin Port Trust, according to Vice-Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command.
To meet the huge dredging expenses, the outer harbour will be developed by the Port Trust in a 2600-hectare land to be reclaimed by depositing the dredged sand. Last week, the port had conveyed its willingness to allot 650 acres to be reclaimed on lease to the Navy to set up its battle station there.
“The Port Trust and the Navy are interested in participating in the development of infrastructure there. However, we’re at a preliminary stage. Only 10 days back, the Port Trust offered us land. A final decision has to come from the Ministry of Defence and it involves a lot of procedures, including the fund available and the need for such a station,” the naval officer said.
The Southern Naval Command headquartered in Kochi now functions as a training command but with the launch of the new station, it can have the status of an operational command as well.
