INDIAN NAVY’S FOOT PRINTS IN SOUTH
MUMBAI
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| BOMBAY CASTLE |
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| MIDDLE GROUND |
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| OYSTER ROCK |
Shri Nitin
Gadkari’s statement the other day in the presence of C-in C West at Mumbai has
provoked me to write this. He said that what has Navy to do in South Mumbai and
that if they have to patrol they should stay near Pakistan border. He further
stated that Navy approached him for land in South Mumbai and he was not going
to give them even an inch. What gross
arrogance and immaturity he showed is there in social media and print as well.
He also lacked knowledge of the role of Navy which is different than that of
Army but that is expecting a little too much from him! It was evident that he
was unhappy with Navy for not concurring certain jetty development plans in
Malabar hill .
Here I just wish to bring out that South
Mumbai is closely linked to Navy. Some of the oldest historical structures are
in possession of Navy and Navy has ‘Right of Inheritance’ in South Mumbai. The ‘Bombay
Castle’ of 16th century around which the Fort area is developed
houses I N S Angre the Depot Ship of Western Naval Command. It was built by
Portugese and is perhaps the oldest structures in Mumbai. The ‘Middle Ground’
where the Flag of the Commander in Chief Western Naval Command flies is a small
island in South Mumbai under Navy. The ‘Oyster rock’ is another similar
structure. These were Portugese coastal batteries used by Royal Navy in IInd
world war and India Navy in 1971 when anti aircraft guns were used against the
Pakistan air raid in Mumbai.
The historical Bombay dockyard which possesses
‘Bombay dock’ and ‘Duncan dock’ the oldest docks in India where the famous ‘Wadias’ ( later TATAS )built war ships
for Royal Navy and where the Naval Headquarters was till 1941! Is in South
Mumbai.
Certain
things do not change with time and the significance of South Mumbai as Economic
capital has further necessitated Navy’s presence.
Navy’s exist
to safeguard a Nation’s economic interests specially shipping which comprises
95% of India’s trade. And Mumbai harbour and Nav Shiva are the biggest harbours
in India which need Navy’s protection.
Alas Shri
Gadkari despite being Minister for Shipping does not understand.
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