The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh is scheduled to inaugurate significant infrastructural additions to the Naval Base Karwar as part of Project Seabird on March 5, 2024. These developments include two major piers and a substantial number of residential accommodations, specifically seven towers comprising 320 houses for Naval Officers and Defence civilian personnel, along with 149 single officers’ accommodations.
Project Seabird’s Phase I, which concluded in 2011, was initially designed to accommodate 10 ships and included comprehensive infrastructure such as a breakwater, pier, ship lift and dry berth, Naval Ship Repair Yard, and a 141-bed Naval Hospital, among other facilities. With the Cabinet Committee on Security’s approval, Phase IIA of Project Seabird has expanded to accommodate 32 ships and submarines, plus 23 Yardcraft, with the construction adhering to the latest environmental and green building standards.
Phase IIA’s marine works are particularly noteworthy, featuring piers that extend over 6 kilometers of berthing space, alongside technical facilities and an iconic Covered Dry Berth. This dry berth, designed for the maintenance of up to four capital ships simultaneously, stands taller than the Qutub Minar, highlighting the project’s ambition and scale.
Furthermore, the construction of four different townships under Phase-IIA aims to provide approximately 10,000 dwelling units for various ranks and Defence Civilian staff. A significant addition is the dual-use Naval Air Station with a 2700 m runway, designed to support both military operations and commercial flights, enhancing air connectivity to the Uttar Karnataka region.
The ongoing construction at Naval Base Karwar has already generated substantial employment, with approximately 7,000 direct jobs and an estimated 20,000 indirect jobs nationwide. Emphasizing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, over 90% of materials and equipment for the project are sourced domestically, involving major Indian infrastructure companies.
Upon completion, Project Seabird is expected to house around 50,000 individuals across its facilities, significantly boosting the local economy and acting as a catalyst for regional industrial growth. The project is also anticipated to attract further investment to the Uttara Kannada region, create additional employment opportunities, and enhance the tourism industry in North Karnataka and South Goa.