Over 100 legislators take session break, visit naval base

A team of over 100 members of both Houses of the legislature, headed by Assembly Speaker K B Koliwad, paid a visit to the Seabird naval base here on Saturday.

They were briefed by the authorities there regarding warships and other navy-related matters. The legislators were taken around in INS Aditya, which refuel warships. The committee also got to see INS Vikramaditya, which has an airstrip onboard.

The team also got to see the administrative office of the naval base and the dockyard where warships are repaired.

The legislators arrived in four Airavata buses from Belagavi, where the legislature is sitting for the winter session. The committee comprised 110 MLAs and 47 members of the Upper House. Ministers H Anjaneya, Umashri and Legislative Council chairman D H Shankaramurthy were among those part of the team. A few officials accompanied the team of legislators.

Some legislators came in their cars, while a few others had brought their families along. They were inside the naval base by 11.30 am.

Shankaramurthy said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, through a letter, suggested the legislators to visit what is turning out to be Asia's biggest naval base. They visited Seabird in keeping with that, he said.

Koliwad said it was a moment of joy and pride to be visiting the place. When asked about the persisting issues over rehabilitating evacuees for the project, he said he would apprise himself about the issue as he had no idea about it.