<p>The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Thursday cleared the Rs 13,000-crore expansion plan of the Karwar naval base in coastal Karnataka, which will eventually house two aircraft carriers, including INS Vikramaditya which has its origin in Russia.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The CCS approval for phase-II of Project Sea Bird comes days after the Navy chief stated that the service was preparing the case to get the Cabinet approval for the project in Karnataka.<br /><br />“Inaugurated by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in October 1986, work on phase-I of the project was completed after two decades at a cost of Rs 2,628.82 crore. In phase-I, berthing facilities for 11 ships and 10 yard crafts were created, along with an airstrip and a residential township. The initial cost estimate was Rs 350 crore.<br /><br />In phase-II, berthing facility will be enhanced significantly, besides creating a dockyard and a full-fledged airbase. There will also be logistics and other support centres, a Navy officer said. After its completion, the Karwar base will house 30 warships. <br /><br />On Monday, Defence Minister A K Antony informed Parliament that expansion of the Karwar Naval base was in line with India's strategic concerns and operational readiness.<br /><br />The delay in approving phase-II of Project Sea Bird was due to unavailability of Indian companies which are eligible to undertake projects of such magnitude.<br /><br /> Also, the Finance Ministry had some objections to the initial cost estimate furnished by the Navy and Defence Ministry for the project. <br /><br />CCS also cleared a proposal to raise the first battalion of the Sikkim Scouts for the Army.</p>
<p>The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Thursday cleared the Rs 13,000-crore expansion plan of the Karwar naval base in coastal Karnataka, which will eventually house two aircraft carriers, including INS Vikramaditya which has its origin in Russia.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The CCS approval for phase-II of Project Sea Bird comes days after the Navy chief stated that the service was preparing the case to get the Cabinet approval for the project in Karnataka.<br /><br />“Inaugurated by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in October 1986, work on phase-I of the project was completed after two decades at a cost of Rs 2,628.82 crore. In phase-I, berthing facilities for 11 ships and 10 yard crafts were created, along with an airstrip and a residential township. The initial cost estimate was Rs 350 crore.<br /><br />In phase-II, berthing facility will be enhanced significantly, besides creating a dockyard and a full-fledged airbase. There will also be logistics and other support centres, a Navy officer said. After its completion, the Karwar base will house 30 warships. <br /><br />On Monday, Defence Minister A K Antony informed Parliament that expansion of the Karwar Naval base was in line with India's strategic concerns and operational readiness.<br /><br />The delay in approving phase-II of Project Sea Bird was due to unavailability of Indian companies which are eligible to undertake projects of such magnitude.<br /><br /> Also, the Finance Ministry had some objections to the initial cost estimate furnished by the Navy and Defence Ministry for the project. <br /><br />CCS also cleared a proposal to raise the first battalion of the Sikkim Scouts for the Army.</p>
