The Sea Bird naval base, which had been rechristened INS Kadamba, will be dedicated to the nation today.
Defence minister Pranab Mukherjee will dedicate the project to the nation by inaugurating the ship depot.
Chief minister N Dharam Singh and co-operation minister R V Deshpande will be the chief guests at the function which will be held in Karwar, the location of the project.
The then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had laid the foundation stone for the naval base on October 24, 1986. The project was hanging fire for 13 years for several reasons. It was only in 1999 that the work was resumed on a warfooting.
The government acquired 11,000 acres of land including 13 villages and commenced the work at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore. The INS Kadamba boasts of a ship lift, armoury and all other modern amenities required for the naval base.
About 600 families of naval officers have settled at the Naval base.
Naval base to be dedicated to the nation today
Our Correspondent / Dharwad May 31, 2005, 22:39 IST
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