CIDCO offers Vikrant berth in Navi Mumbai

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of a new infotech park in Vashi, the chairman appreciated the Chief Minister’s efforts in saving the warship.

However, the proposal was turned down by the CM as he addressed a press conference soon after inaugurating the park. “Vikrant will stay in Mumbai, it is more convenient for visitors,” Joshi said, adding that the navy too was in favour of berthing the ship off the city.

Later speaking to Express Newsline, Joshi did not foresee any trouble obtaining clearance for the site near Radio Club from the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT). “There won’t be any problem,” he grinned.

Meanwhile,the navy has agreed to consider, `without prejudice’, a site suggested by the CM, south of the Radio Club site. “We are examining the site and will reach a decision soon,” a senior naval official said.

The alternative site suggested last week by Joshi in case the port trust doesn’t agree to the Radio Club site, is near Oyster Rock, roughly three kilometres south of the Radio Club near Colaba. The MbPT, particularly its trade union leaders Dr Shanti Patel and S R Kulkarni, has been vociferously opposing the site near Radio Club. A sub committee of the port trust is expected to arrive at a decision soon.

The navy feels that for the ship which will be converted into a Rs 76 crore maritime museum has to be located in South Mumbai to be able to generate the Rs 15 lakh required to maintain it every month. The tourist potential and the heliport on the ship can be utilised to the maximum only in South Mumbai, they say.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister George Fernandes said at Ahmedabad on Saturday that a finaldecision to sell the Vikrant would be taken by him. “If any decision to sell off Vikrant has to be taken, the matter will be referred to me,” he added. When it was pointed out that the navy has given an ultimatum to the state government to take a decision about the proposed maritime museum-cum- helipad, the Defence Minister stated that the matter has not yet come to him.On May 14, the Western Naval Command (WNC) dashed off a letter to Urban Development Secretary S Nalinakshan giving a deadline of July 31 to arrive at a final decision about the project.