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The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Thiru T. R. Baalu today performed the Steel Cutting Ceremony for the first indigenous Aircraft Carrier for the Indian Navy, at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) today. Speaking on the occasion, Thiru Baalu said this is a project that would determine the destiny of the Cochin Shipyard and more importantly the nation. While comparing the major ship building yards in the world with Cochin Shipyard, he said it was time Cochin Shipyard adopted a strategy for faster growth that can propel the yard to the top position. He visualized the current Aircraft Carrier order as the first step towards this direction.
“The first indigenously built Aircraft Carrier would occupy prime infrastructure of the CSL for some years and there will be a need for creating additional infrastructure facilities to cater to the rising demand of merchant ship building. The Yard is exploring possibilities of additional infrastructure creation in the same premises and is also looking at the area earmarked in the Vallarpadam Project for creation of a green field international class modern shipyard that could compare with any other shipyard in the world”, Thiru Baalu said. The Minister called upon the Cochin Shipyard Limited management to move forward fast in this direction.
While congratulating the Shipyard for being nominated to build the largest naval ship ever to be attempted in the country, he said the Yard now must ensure efficient and profitable operations both for commercial and naval projects. He said the Department of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways is committed to encourage the growth of shipbuilding industry under the new proposed maritime policy regime. “The Ministry intends to encourage setting up of two new international-size shipyards, expansion of existing shipyards as also their modernization. For this, Indian private investment and foreign direct investment are being invited. The aim is to make India a vibrant shipbuilding nation. The steel for the prestigious Aircraft Carrier is to be supplied by the Steel Authority of India Limited. This is a great step forward for indigenous backward integration in shipbuilding”, he said.
The Aircraft Carrier with a deep displacement of 37,500T is being designed to operate a mix of 30 combat aircraft and helicopters and 17 of these can be accommodated in the hanger. The ship will have two runways and a landing strip with three arrester wires. The keel of the ship is planned to be laid in October 7, 2005. The ship, after the completion of construction and trials, is scheduled to be delivered in 2012.
Shri Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala was the Chief Guest on this occasion. Shri D.T. Joseph, Secretary (Shipping), Govt. of India and Admiral Arun Prakash, Chief of Naval Staff also graced the function.
NSD/BS
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