Chief of Defence Staff Inaugurates Key Infrastructure at Naval Base Karwar as Part of Project Seabird Phase IIA.
Karwar:
In a significant milestone for India’s naval capabilities, General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) & Secretary, Department of Military Affairs (DMA), inaugurated several critical infrastructure developments at the Naval Base, Karwar. These developments are part of Phase IIA of the ambitious Project Seabird, aimed at enhancing India’s naval operations and strategic defense posture.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, and other senior naval and defense officials, marked the completion of residential accommodation for senior sailors and the Main Distribution Sub Station—both integral components of the ongoing project.
The newly constructed residential accommodation consists of four towers, providing 240 dwelling units for Master Chief Petty Officers (MCPOs) and Chief Petty Officers (CPOs). Developed by M/S NCC Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, this facility aims to improve living conditions for senior naval personnel stationed at Karwar, further enhancing the operational efficiency of the base.
Another key infrastructure milestone is the Main Distribution Sub Station, which will serve as a crucial power hub for the Naval Base. This state-of-the-art facility includes four 33/11 KV – 35 MVA transformers, capable of delivering a stabilised power supply of up to 65 MVA to operational piers, accommodation areas, and utilities. The substation also features seventy-seven 33 KV Gas Insulated Switchgears, frequency converters, and voltage stabilizers to ensure seamless power distribution. To ensure continuous power supply, the base will also rely on three Captive Power Plants, each with a 3 MVA capacity, providing critical backup. M/s ITD Cementation India Ltd., Mumbai, was responsible for the construction of this key power infrastructure.
These developments are part of Phase IIA of Project Seabird, which is set to significantly bolster the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities. This phase of the project will not only support the berthing of a large number of ships and submarines but will also include the construction of a dual-use Naval Air Station, a full-fledged Naval Dockyard, covered dry berths, and various logistics facilities for both ships and aircraft.
The ongoing construction of Phase IIA of Project Seabird has already created significant employment opportunities, with over 7,000 direct jobs and an estimated 25,000 indirect jobs generated. Additionally, the project is designed in line with environmental and sustainability standards, conforming to the norms set by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). The initiative also supports the government’s vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” with more than 90% of materials and equipment sourced from Indian vendors.
General Anil Chauhan, during the inauguration, emphasized the strategic importance of these infrastructure upgrades and their role in enhancing the operational readiness of the Indian Navy. He also underscored the government’s commitment to modernizing defense infrastructure, which will play a pivotal role in securing India’s maritime borders and maintaining regional stability.
With these new developments, Karwar Naval Base is set to become a cornerstone of India’s naval defense strategy, significantly enhancing the Navy’s capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.
