MUMBAI: The makeover of India's first aircraft carrier Vikrant has received a good response with seven companies showing interest in the project which could cost a few hundred crores.
As per the makeover plan, the aircraft carrier, which was one of the main warships during 1971 war with Pakistan, is to be converted into a maritime museum with permission to conduct some commercial activities, officials said.
Maharashtra Urban Infrastructure Development Company (MUNIFRA) entrusted with the job of converting the warship into a maritime museum had called for 'Request For Qualification' (RFQ) for the project, with the last date being April 27. RFQs were open today.
The companies which have shown interest include Hindustan Construction, Srei Infrastructure, Dhoot Developers, Kalpataru and Zoom Developers.
Ajay Saxena, Officer on Special Duty with MUNIFRA, said the government is taking the help of international experts who have designed similar ship museums for the project, adding it is being decided how much space is to be reserved for the museum and how much for commercial activities.
Vikrant, which was decommissioned in 1997 and is currently berthed at the naval dockyard at Colaba in Mumbai, is likely to have commercial activities like helicopter rides along with restaurants and shops.
Source:The Economic Times