PARADIP: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ship ‘Vajra’, which was decommissioned recently with full military honours, will be turned into an international maritime centre and a world-class naval museum in Paradip.On Thursday, Deputy Inspector General, ICG Rajesh Makwana and other officials held discussion with Chairman of Paradip Port Trust (PPT) Rinkesh Roy on handing over the ship to port authorities.
The officials also identified the spot on beach area of the port where the ICG ship will be berthed permanently as a museum. This will attract tourists and visitors to the beach in Paradip.Roy said the Ministry of Defence has agreed to hand over the decommissioned ICG ship to PPT free of cost to convert it into a museum.
After PPT gets the ship, steps will be taken to shift it from the port to beach. PPT has decided to provide nearly one acre of land for the purpose, he added.Earlier, PPT authorities had sent a proposal to the Defence Ministry to convert Vajra into a museum.
Vajra, named after Lord Indra’s weapon, was commissioned on December 22, 1988. During its life span, the ship sailed for 52966 hours at sea and covered a total distance of 524299 nautical miles. It also participated in various coast guard operations of search and rescue and security patrols. The ship saved 34 valuable lives and apprehended 28 vessels fishing illegally in Indian waters. On February 20, Vajra was decommissioned in Paradip.