Karwar: “The phase II level of expansion and construction of the country’s largest naval base will be completed by 2023 at an estimated cost of Rs 20000 Crore”, said the flag officer commanding Karnataka Naval Area, Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh, NM.
Addressing a press conference, here on Thursday, July 25 at INS Kadamba Naval Base, he said, “Currently, the naval base has a parking capacity of 32 warships and submarines. With the phase II expansion, the capacity will increase to 50 warships and submarines and in future it will be capable of anchoring 100 warships and submarines.”
“The phase II level of naval base will be thrice than that of the previous ones. It will accommodate about 4500 to 5000 staff members. Top priority will be given to employing the locals. The phase II expansion will not involve any land acquisition as it will be constructed on a land which was acquired earlier”, he added.
Describing phase II, Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh said, “In this phase, we will be having an airport. The state government has shown interest making the airport available for the public too but will be ready only by 2025. For this, the runway will be 1 km longer and about 40 acres of land will be required from the state government.”
Officers A P Kulkarni, A Kiran Kumar Reddy, K P Srinivas, Shantanu Sharma, Ajay Kapoor and Utpal Bora were present.
