In a significant development for the Indian Navy, the frontline warship INS Brahmaputra, which faced severe damage and was left tilted due to a fire incident over four months ago, has been uprighted and is set to return to operational status. Vice-Admiral Sanjay J Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, provided this update during a media briefing ahead of Navy Day.
He outlined the timeline of recovery efforts, revealing that the warship was successfully returned to an upright position on November 2 and subsequently placed in dry dock on November 8. The Navy is currently engaged in an extensive damage assessment and initial repair tasks, which will inform a comprehensive restoration plan for the warship.
The fire incident that led to the damage occurred in late July while INS Brahmaputra was docked at the naval yard in Mumbai. The blaze resulted in significant structural deformation, causing the vessel to tilt dangerously to one side. Following the incident, the Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi conducted a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the emergency.
In addition to updates on INS Brahmaputra, Vice-Admiral Singh addressed another incident involving the Indian Navy submarine INS Karanj, which collided with a fishing boat, FV Marthoma, off the Goa coast. He confirmed that while the submarine incurred damages exceeding Rs 10 crore, it remains operational. The fishing boat, unfortunately, sank due to the impact, with 13 crew members on board; thankfully, 11 were successfully rescued during subsequent search operations.
In response to the collision, the Mumbai Police have initiated legal action against the captain of FV Marthoma, known as the ‘tandel’, following the tragic deaths of two individuals as a direct result of the incident. Vice-Admiral Singh assured that the Navy will conduct an internal inquiry into the collision, and based on the findings, the organization will implement any necessary corrective measures.
As the Navy prepares to celebrate its dedication and service on December 4, the revival of INS Brahmaputra stands as a testament to the resilience and commitment of the Indian Navy to maintain its operational readiness amid challenges.
