Paradip: Eight years have passed since the announcement for establishment of a forward operating base of the Indian Navy here, but the project continues to be a non-starter with work yet to commence.
Then Fleet Commander-cum-Rear Admiral P Murugasen visited Paradip port after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and announced the establishment of a forward operating base of the Indian Navy in Paradip November 24, 2009.
Even after passage of eight years, not a single brick has been laid for the project which has only remained limited to reviews and appraisals. The project has failed to take off even though Paradip port authorities identified 25 acres of land for the purpose. Moreover, this has happened despite the fact that all major ports have naval bases in their territorial jurisdictions.
Sources said the establishment of naval bases gained prominence after terrorists sneaked through seawaters and launched coordinated attacks on Mumbai city, bringing the commercial capital of India to a standstill for three days.
The unprecedented terrorist attack galvanised the government into reviewing its coastal defence following which security was intensified across the coastline of the country. The security arrangements include deployment of more warships and patrolling ships of the Coast Guard in seawaters, establishment of marine police stations and conducting war drills twice a year.
The Indian Coast Guard has its Orissa headquarters in Paradip while the Indian Navy has a detachment office and a stockyard at the prohibited zone in the port.
Warships of Indian Navy visit Paradip port at regular intervals as the port falls under the jurisdiction of the Union Government. The Navy also has an office and a training centre near Chilika lake in Khurda district.
The Rear Admiral while making the announcement said all weapons, oil and equipment of the Indian Navy will be stored at the base, which would also be used for other works of Indian Navy.
Later, Anil Chopra, the eastern naval commander of Indian Navy, visited Paradip and reviewed the project with port authorities May 24, 2012. He also visited the land site identified for the project near the Orissa Maritime Academy near the New Bhima Bhoi Colony in Madhuban.
Every year, the issue comes up for discussions during celebration of Navy Day in Paradip. Since then, eight years have passed but nothing has been done yet for establishment of the naval base.
The plant authorities have now planted some casuarina trees on the vacant land identified for the project. Observers have demanded for immediate establishment of the base as the state has a large coastline of 480 km which is vulnerable to attacks by terrorists. PNN
