New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ordered status quo on the dismantling of India’s decommissioned aircraft carrier INS Viraat which was in service with the Indian Navy for nearly three decades. ALSO READ | IT Ministry Took To ‘Koo’ Calling Twitter’s Blog ‘Unusual’; Says ‘Will Respond Soon’
The centaur-class aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, was in service with the Indian Navy for 29 years and was decommissioned in March 2017. The Centre had in July 2019 informed the Parliament about the decision to scrap the ship that was taken after due consultation with the Indian Navy.
The Supreme Court has now stayed the dismantling of the decommissioned aircraft carrier after a company offered to buy INS Viraat and preserve it for people to see it in the future.
A company named Envitech Marine Consultants Limited had filed a plea in the Supreme Court stating that it had sought permission from the Ministry of Defense to purchase the ship. It wants to convert INS Viraat into a museum. This will enable common people and future generations to be able to see it.
But the government reportedly refused to give permission citing a policy issue.
Later, Envitech also tried to buy it from Shri Ram Group by offering to pay Rs 100 crore. But the government refused to give the No Objection Certificate (NOC). Today, the Supreme Court issued a notice in the case after hearing the counsel for the petitioner company as it stayed the further dismantling.
A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde issued notice to the Union government and others seeking their responses on the plea filed by the firm.
The aircraft carrier was incorporated in the British Navy by the name of HMS Hermes in the 50s and was later bought by the Indian government. It was given to the Indian Navy in 1987 and renamed INS Viraat.
After nearly 3 decades of service, the ship was decommissioned. The Shriram Group of Industries based in Bhavnagar bought it. On 28 September 2020, it was brought to Alang Port in Gujarat, where it is being dismantled.
