Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Monday said he had sought a detailed report from the Indian Navy on how its submarine INS Sindhughosh ran aground at the Naval harbour in Mumbai a couple of days ago.
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Talking to the media on the sidelines of a National Cadet Corps function in New Delhi, Mr. Antony said while he has received an initial report into the incident, he had called for a detailed one from the service.
Responding to questions on the incident, the Minister said the incident was reportedly caused by “some unexpected tidal change”.
Sources said there was no damage to the vessel in the incident. “It was coming in to dock at the harbour after a mission. The harbour has not been dredged for sometime and therefore had high silt levels. The vessel entered it during low tide, as there was a delay in its entry due to some reason, and came to rest on the bed since the water column was less than the draft of the submarine.”
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The vessel is learnt to have remained in the position for four hours and was tugged into its slot on the harbour in high tide.
The main question, sources said, was why it taken ashore in low tide and could it have waited for the water levels to go higher.
The incident, which has occurred within six months of the INS Sindhurakshak mishap, has also brought into focus the issue of dredging of the harbour, which is the mainstay of Naval operations in Mumbai.