High power committee formed to convert INS Viraat into museum

The Maharashtra Government on Tuesday formed a high-power committee headed by Chief Secretary to ensure successful implementation of project involving conversion of INS Viraat into museum and Tourism Centre.
Naval warship INS Viraat was decommissioned from the Indian Navy on March 06, last year. The said ship is currently docked at Naval Dockyard.
“Maharashtra government was considering getting INS Viraat from the Indian Navy so that the warship can be converted into museum and Tourism Centre so that people know about the rich heritage of Indian Navy, in order to create liking in coastal region among school and college students,” said a home department official.
He added, following the approval from the cabinet, it has been decided that in order to convert INS Viraat into museum and Tourism Centre and the said project would be implemented on Public-Private Partnership basis.
In order to ensure implementation of the said project the government on Tuesday formed a six-member high-power committee headed by Chief Secretary. “The committee would decide on the terms and conditions of the tender for selection of the private entrepreneur. They would also select the developer after examining the tenders and would also take decisions on Viability Gap Funding,” the official said.
The project cost to convert INS Viraat, Indian navy’s former flagship ship–which holds the distinction of being the world’s longest-serving warship into a museum on a PPP basis is around Rs 852 crore. It will be grouted around 7 nautical miles in the sea at Nivati rocks in Sindhudurg, where visitors will also be able to view the unique marine eco-system.
An official said the private partner would conserve the ship and use it for activities like a maritime museum, virtual galleries, cafeteria, marine bio-diversity centre, adventure sports like sailing and scuba-diving and training of merchant navy crew. The private partner may also be able to develop it as a comprehensive tourism destination including a helipad, convention centre and luxury accommodation, which must confirm with “the dignity of the ship,” he added.
Part of India’s rich maritime heritage, INS Viraat holds the world record of being the longest serving warship. Under the Indian flag, the ship clocked over 22,622 flying hours and spent nearly 2,252 days at sea sailing across 5,88,287 nautical miles (10,94,215 KM). Viraat played a major role in Operation Jupiter in 1989 during the Sri Lankan Peacekeeping operation, Operation Parakram (2001-2002) and operational deployments and international joint exercises. The ship was decommissioned on March 6, 2017.
MEDALS OF HONOUR
Part of India’s rich maritime heritage, INS Viraat holds the world record of being the longest serving warship
Under the Indian flag, the ship clocked over 22,622 flying hrs, spent nearly 2,252 days at sea sailing across 5,88,287 nautical miles
Viraat played a major role in Op Jupiter in 1989 during Sri Lankan Peacekeeping operation