Plane service Viraat set sail for the final time, to Gujarat, the place it will likely be damaged down (File)
Mumbai:
Decommissioned plane service INS Viraat right this moment set sail for the final time, on technique to Alang in Gujarat, the place it will likely be damaged down and bought as scrap.
For Navy veterans who watched the massive vessel being towed by tug boats, there was a lump within the throat as they bade it an emotional farewell from the Gateway of India.
Former navy ship Viraat started its last journey from the Naval dockyard the place it was berthed after being decommissioned in March 2017.
A Navy helicopter circling overhead offered an imposing backdrop to Viraat’s final voyage from its house base for over three a long time.
A Defence spokesperson stated ‘Viraat’ was to go away for Alang on Friday, however its departure was delayed by a day.
The vessel had served the Indian Navy for 30 years earlier than being decommissioned. It had served within the UK’s Royal Navy as HMS Hermes and named INS Viraat after being inducted within the Indian Navy.
देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा।
तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति।।… the Spirit lives on pic.twitter.com/RaAuCVPjGM
– SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) September 19, 2020
There have been makes an attempt to transform ‘Viraat’ right into a museum or a restaurant, however not one of the plans fructified.
Alang-based Shree Ram group has gained the bid for dismantling the ship. The corporate’s excessive capability tugs are towing the vessel to Alang and it might take two days to finish the journey, an official stated.
Alang, a seaside city, homes the world’s largest ship breaking yard.
“#Viraat Callsign “Romeo Two Two” – Finish of an period, a wonderful chapter within the historical past of @indiannavy. She departs #Mumbai right this moment for her last journey. Previous ships by no means die, their spirit lives on,” tweeted PRO Defence Mumbai.
Many social media customers lamented the failure of successive governments to protect Viraat and one other plane service Vikrant as maritime museums to depict India’s wealthy naval heritage, as an alternative of permitting them to be damaged down and bought as scrap.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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