Visakhapatnam: The state government had begun the preliminary techno economic feasibility study to convert Indian Navy’s mighty aircraft carrier INS Viraat into a tourist site. A team consisting an engineer from Vuda, Vizag port, technical expert from National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and other experts have reached Mumbai where the aircraft carrier is berthed at present. They have visited the ship and assessing it.
The aircraft carrier is expected to be decommissioned in March in the coming year and the Indian Navy is ready to handover the ship to AP government. The state government basing on the techno economic feasibility report will appoint a consultant to prepare a final concept plan on how to convert the aircraft carrier into a tourist site.
The state government had also wrote to the Centre to form a 50:50 joint venture (JV) to develop the aircraft carrier into a tourist attraction in Andhra Pradesh and awaiting a reply. “The state government team which had gone to Mumbai to study the ship will be back in a day or two and submit a preliminary techno economic feasibility report which gives a broad understanding of the entire project. “Based on the report we will appoint a consultant calling global tenders, since east coast is known for frequent cyclones and rough weather conditions round the year and we need to take these issues also into consideration while preparing plans. The jetty, breakwaters other facilities to berth the aircraft carrier should withstand calamities like Hudhud also and we need to plan everything in such a manner,” said state tourism secretary N. Srikanth. INS Viraat had completed 55-years of service, including 27 years with the Royal Navy (British Navy).
