Atal, Thackeray, George wanted Vikrant to be museum

Late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former defence minister George Fernandes and Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray shared the dream of seeing decommissioned aircraft carrier Vikrant into a maritime museum. However, it could not take place and the ship had to be scrapped a few years ago.

In fact, the trio during the previous NDA dispensation made all efforts to ensure that the maritime museum comes up. In fact, once Thackeray visited the Western Naval Command to see the aircraft carrier - and then impressed upon Vajpayee and Fernandes - who too were of the same opinion. However, the Maharashtra government - that showed interest in the project, could not execute it.