Why the talk on new shipyards by closing a premier shipbuilding yard in Visakhapatnam, asks shipping veteran Garuda Pattabhiramayya.
He told The Hindu on Saturday that the ill-conceived policies of the government and denial of orders from the Ministry of Defence had aggravated the financial condition of the Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, set up in 1941 and sought an immediate bailout package to help it regain its lost glory.
He said as the government had an ambitious plan for water transport and coastal shipping, HSL could build vessels required for coastal shipping and mechanised flat barges for inland transportation of containers.
The government should consider giving logistic support for building either directly or under PPP mode various types of craft including small/big size container vessels to operate, if required, through the Shipping Corporation of India.
Mr. Pattabhiramayya, considered father of stevedoring in Vizag, said instead of making investments in greenfield shipyards, the government should seriously ponder over utilisation of existing infrastructure and make need-based changes to serve national interest. “We hope the government will look into seriously all aspects before coming to a conclusion,” he said.
He said it was not only surprising but also shocking to know that the government was contemplating closure of HSL.
“Many people may not know that great freedom fighters and visionaries Walchand Hirachand and Norattam Morarjee established shipbuilding yard in Visakhapatnam for strategic reasons even before Independence. The foundation stone was laid by Dr. Rajendra Prasad,” he said.
First vessel
The first vessel S.S. Jala Usha built by HSL was launched by the first Prime Minster Jawaharlal Nehru in spite of non-co-operation from the British for supply of wax needed for launching. Ever since there was no looking back for HSL to build ships in meeting the national interest, Mr. Pattabhiramayya said.
HSL can build vessels required for coastal shipping and mechanised flat barges for inland transportation of containers. Union
government should consider giving logistic support for building various types of container vessels, says the father of stevedoring in Vizag
