Navy base in Porbandar to open in 2 weeks

It is the second naval base in the country to be named after a political leader, the first being INS Netaji Subhash base in Kolkata.

The Indian Navy’s new base in Porbandar Dwarka II will be inaugurated after two weeks and is officially named INS Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

It is the second naval base in the country to be named after a political leader, the first being INS Netaji Subhash base in Kolkata.

The inauguration of the base was planned in January but was called off after the Indian Coast Guard carried out an operation on December 31 off the Porbandar coast where an alleged Pakistani vessel with ‘terror suspects’ had ‘blown itself off’. The base was going to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

[related-post]

Story continues below this ad

Defence PRO, Wing Commander Abhishek Matiman said, “The new Naval base at Porbandar will be commissioned on May 9 by the Minister of Defence Manohar Parrikar”.

The 26/11 Mumbai terror attack (2008) where the alleged terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Toiba used Porbandar coast to reach Mumbai challenged the coastal security of the country. Following the attacks, the Centre recommended expansion of naval bases in the country.

A senior officer from the Western Naval Command said, “The base was named Dwarka II as it is an expansion of the existing base. After a senior officer from the Navy held a meeting with the state government, it was discussed that it would be named INS Sardar Patel as he is one of the freedom fighters, most revered in Gujarat.” Sources said that the CMO suggested the new base be named after Vallabhbhai Patel. It is to be noted that most of the projects of the state government have been named after him.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram