MUMBAI, SEPT 19: The Vikrant maritime museum may become a reality in two years' time as Maharashtra government has decided to invite global tenders for a contract in this regard.A feasibility study conducted by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has confirmed that aircraft carrier êINS Vikrant can be grouted at Oyster Rock to convert it into a 100-crore maritime museum and the project has been found to be viable, according to Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal who discussed the TCS report with the officers concerned on Monday.The state Tourism Department will seek permission from the state Cabinet within three weeks to float global tenders. ``The project is expected to be ready in two years,'' Bhujbal said.According to the feasibility report, Rs 40 crore will be required to berth the historic warship at Oyster Rock. ``We shall have to prepare a canal to take the aircraft carrier to the spot and grout it there. A link to the project from the coast and a parking lot will also have to be constructed for tourists,'' he said. Another Rs 60 crore would be required to convert the ship into a maritime museum, maintain it and construct a helipad on its deck, he added. The Vikrant will also house commercial centres such as hotels and shops besides tourist offices.While TCS was working out the details of the tender, the state government was simultaneously communicating with the Union Ministry for Forests and Environment to seek its nod for the project, Bhujbal said.Meanwhile, the decommissioned aircraft carrier will be dry-docked at the naval dockyard next week for a three-month Rs 5-crore refit. The repair of the ship's underwater hull using funds sanctioned by the state government will ensure that the Vikrant lasts in the water pending her conversion into the museum.This is the third time that the Vikrant project will be considered by the Cabinet. On two earlier occasions, the Cabinet had okayed its conversion into a maritime museum, but the feasibility study was not completed even as the Navy had decided to scrap the ship.However, it was in June this year, after the Navy decided to go ahead with the auction of the ship, that the state government was propelled into action. Bhujbal took keen interest in the project and fixed the Oyster Rock site for its berthing.
