Context:
The Defence Minister will inaugurate two big piers and seven towers with 320 homes for Navy officers and Defence civilians as part of Project Seabird at Naval Base Karwar in Karnataka.
Relevance:
GS III: Defence
Project Seabird: India’s Naval Infrastructure Endeavor
Overview:
- Largest naval infrastructure initiative in India, aimed at establishing a naval base in Karwar, Karnataka, on the west coast.
Historical Context:
- Conceived post the 1971 Indo-Pak War due to congestion and security concerns in Mumbai Harbour.
- Sanctioned in 1985, foundation stone laid by Rajiv Gandhi in 1986.
Scale and Components:
- Encompasses approximately 11,000 acres, featuring the first sealift facility in India.
- Facilities include deep-sea harbor, breakwaters, dredging, township, naval hospital, dockyard uplift center, and ship lift.
Phases:
- Phase 1 commissioned in 2005, comprising key infrastructure.
- Phase 2 development initiated in 2011, divided into 2A and 2B.
Future Accommodations:
- Upon completion, set to be the largest naval base in the Eastern Hemisphere.
- Capable of housing around 32 warships, 23 submarines, and multiple aircraft in hangars.
