INS Viraat to berth on Visakhapatnam coast by mid-2017

Visakhapatnam, Sep 17 (PTI) The Navy has agreed tohand over INS Viraat to Andhra Pradesh government after itsdecommissioning and the aircraft carrier will berth on thecoast here by mid-2017, Flag Officer Commanding-In-Chief,Eastern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral H C S Bisht said today. The AP government had shown a keen interest in gettingINS Viraat, the oldest aircraft carrier operated by IndianNavy, to berth in Vizag for promotion of tourism after itsdecommissioning, he said. He was speaking to reporters after taking part in theInternational Coastal Cleanup Day at R K Beach here today. Viraat is likely to be decommissioned by end of 2016after 55 years of service, including 27 years with the RoyalNavy (British Navy), he said. PTI COR KRK DIPBAS