KARWAR: The Karwar Naval Base will be the largest naval base in Asia by 2021 and a sum of Rs 19,600 crore has been kept aside for the second phase of its development, said Rear Admiral K J Kumar, VSM, Flag Officer Karnataka Naval Area.
Addressing the media on board of INS Aditya at Karwar base on Saturday, he said phase IIA work of the Seabird Project is expected to commence in Karwar next year and the integrated base will be completed by 2021 or 2022.
Under the second phase of development, eight more operational jetties will be developed. Karwar will be the station for more Naval ships and a lot of submarines will operate from here. The Naval air station will also be built at the base and it will be helpful to increase logistics transportation by helicopters and medium aircraft, he added.
Apart from this, INHS Patanjali Hospital will upgrade from 141-bed to 400-bed under the phase-IIA project, and also another Kendriya Vidyalaya is planned inside the base.
Governor Vajubhai Vala will come to Karwar Naval Base to participate in the celebration of ‘Navy Day 2016’ on Sunday (December 4). As part of the Navy Day, a week-long programmes like health camps, sports meet and swimming competition were organised and also public were allowed to visit the base.
He thanked Indian Coast Guard, State Marine Police, District Administration, District Police and other stakeholders for their support to the Navy.