SC Stays Dismantling Of Decommissioned INS Viraat Amid Petition To Convert It Into Maritime Museum 

The Supreme Court issued notices regarding a private firm Envitech Marine Consultants Private Limited’s petition to convert the iconic INS Viraat into a multi-function adventure centre and a maritime museum, Hindustan Times reports.

The apex court has subsequently stayed the dismantling of the aircraft carrier and asked for responses from the Ministry of Defence and the Shree Ram Ship Breakers that had purchased the ship in auction last year.

Chief Justice S A Bobde is heading the bench that is hearing the matter and will also examine the price at which Envitech will buy the ship from Shree Ram Ship Breakers.

The latter had bought the same from an auction conducted by the Metal Scrap Trade Corporation Limited for Rs 38.54 crore last year.

INS Viraat was decommissioned in 2017, around 30 years after its induction to the Indian Navy. The central government informed the Parliament in July 2019 that the call to scrap the ship was taken following consultations with the naval force.

Envitech Marine Consultants Private Limited confirmed during the hearing that it is ready to shell out Rs 100 crore to purchase the aircraft carrier from Shree Ram Ship Breakers.