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SOURCE: TNN
It’s with a strange mix of elation and trepidation that residents of Karwar are welcoming the arrival of INS Vikramaditya, which will berth at the port town’s naval base by mid-January 2014.
The aircraft carrier is expected to come along with huge baggage — something that residents fear could tell on the town’s creaking infrastructure and send prices of essential commodities soaring. But the town’s civic mandarins and naval base officials see a silver lining in this: They argue that the berthing brings with it a huge business opportunity that’s waiting to be tapped.
District BJP secretary Rajesh Nayak says projects like the Kaiga nuclear power station and Seabird have brought more pressure on Karwar’s infrastructure, which far outweighs the benefits in terms of improving the local economy and providing secondary job opportunities to residents.
He fears the daily needs of the ship’s 1,600-plus crew members could create a supply squeeze. If vegetables and food reflect one side of the story, housing is another which requires a closer look. The Navy has already started placing advertisements in local newspapers for rented accommodation.
Naval officers in New Delhi admit that housing is not fully adequate at the Karwar base, even though the married accommodation project started a couple of years ago. “Some personnel will stay on the base, while others will have to stay outside. On other fronts, arrangements for food and other supplies are being made to meet the demands of additional personnel,” an officer said.
For instance, most AC hotel rooms in the town have been booked for Russian and India trainers who will arrive here to train Navy personnel on navigating the ship.
Nilesh Birkodikar, a chartered accountant, says the Navy and the Nuclear Power Corporation should join hands with local authorities to develop the infrastructure of Karwar and Ankola so that local people aren’t affected.
N Shiva Kumar, assistant executive engineer of Karnataka Water Supply and Sewerage Board, spiked rumours of a looming water shortage. He says the Seabird naval base is supplied 3 million litres of water a day against the demand of 19.3 MLD. The board has struck an agreement with the Navy for supply of water for the next 30 years. “But this will not affect supply to residents,” he pointed out.
City Municipal Council commissioner CD Dalvi said ramping up infrastructure is a broader subject that should be addressed by the state government. “We’ve no role either in water supply or in the city’s development,” he added.
Shoring up for big arrival
INS Vikramaditya expected to dock at Seabird base with 1,600 crew members and trainers from India and Russia.
The base can currently host 11 major warships and 10 yard-craft under Phase I, carried out at a cost of Rs 2,629 crore.
Under Rs 13,000-crore Phase II expansion, the base can house 32 major warships, submarines and other ships, including 10 of the 80 fast-interceptor craft to be acquired.
Fears unfounded
Apprehensions expressed by locals are unfounded. Local vendors, transporters, hoteliers, farmers and youths with technical skills will definitely benefit by the arrival of the new ship as well as the second phase of the Seabird naval project.
It’s with a strange mix of elation and trepidation that residents of Karwar are welcoming the arrival of INS Vikramaditya, which will berth at the port town’s naval base by mid-January 2014.
The aircraft carrier is expected to come along with huge baggage — something that residents fear could tell on the town’s creaking infrastructure and send prices of essential commodities soaring. But the town’s civic mandarins and naval base officials see a silver lining in this: They argue that the berthing brings with it a huge business opportunity that’s waiting to be tapped.
District BJP secretary Rajesh Nayak says projects like the Kaiga nuclear power station and Seabird have brought more pressure on Karwar’s infrastructure, which far outweighs the benefits in terms of improving the local economy and providing secondary job opportunities to residents.
He fears the daily needs of the ship’s 1,600-plus crew members could create a supply squeeze. If vegetables and food reflect one side of the story, housing is another which requires a closer look. The Navy has already started placing advertisements in local newspapers for rented accommodation.
Naval officers in New Delhi admit that housing is not fully adequate at the Karwar base, even though the married accommodation project started a couple of years ago. “Some personnel will stay on the base, while others will have to stay outside. On other fronts, arrangements for food and other supplies are being made to meet the demands of additional personnel,” an officer said.
For instance, most AC hotel rooms in the town have been booked for Russian and India trainers who will arrive here to train Navy personnel on navigating the ship.
Nilesh Birkodikar, a chartered accountant, says the Navy and the Nuclear Power Corporation should join hands with local authorities to develop the infrastructure of Karwar and Ankola so that local people aren’t affected.
N Shiva Kumar, assistant executive engineer of Karnataka Water Supply and Sewerage Board, spiked rumours of a looming water shortage. He says the Seabird naval base is supplied 3 million litres of water a day against the demand of 19.3 MLD. The board has struck an agreement with the Navy for supply of water for the next 30 years. “But this will not affect supply to residents,” he pointed out.
City Municipal Council commissioner CD Dalvi said ramping up infrastructure is a broader subject that should be addressed by the state government. “We’ve no role either in water supply or in the city’s development,” he added.
Shoring up for big arrival
INS Vikramaditya expected to dock at Seabird base with 1,600 crew members and trainers from India and Russia.
The base can currently host 11 major warships and 10 yard-craft under Phase I, carried out at a cost of Rs 2,629 crore.
Under Rs 13,000-crore Phase II expansion, the base can house 32 major warships, submarines and other ships, including 10 of the 80 fast-interceptor craft to be acquired.
Fears unfounded
Apprehensions expressed by locals are unfounded. Local vendors, transporters, hoteliers, farmers and youths with technical skills will definitely benefit by the arrival of the new ship as well as the second phase of the Seabird naval project.
