By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Nov 4:
An MoU was signed to display decommissioned Indian Naval Fast Attack Craft T-80 as a memorial at Durgadi Sea Fort in Kalyan, in Thane district, about 58 Kms from Mumbai, between the Indian Navy and Smart Kalyan Dombivli Corporation Ltd (SKDCL) on Wednesday.
The agreement was signed to display warship as a memorial to commemorate 365th anniversary of establishment of Maratha Navy by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Indian Navy was represented at the event by officers of Headquarters, Maharashtra Naval Area, while SKDCL was represented by Prahlad Rode CEO SKDCL and his team.
The “INFAC T-80” was decommissioned on October 07, 2021 at Headquarters, Western Naval Command, Mumbai after rendering yeoman service of 23 years. Built by M/s IAl Ramta at Israel, the vessel was commissioned on 24 June 24, 1998. She was specifically designed for shallow water operations and patrolled extensively to provide security to Mumbai High Offshore Development Area and the coast of Maharashtra.
Even after her decommissioning, “T-80” will continue serving the country and inspire Indian youth visiting the Naval Museum at Durgadi Fort, Kalyan. The memorial will also showcase the state’s rich maritime history, especially the roles played in it by the Maratha Navy and Indian Navy.
Indian Navy had previously erected the decommissioned warship “ex-Prabal” at Essel world at Gorai in North Mumbai. It now installs “ex-T-80” at Durgadi Fort, Kalyan to spread sea consciousness amongst the local populace. Signing of the MoU reiterates the Indian Navy’s connect with people and history of Maharashtra, an official statement read.
Durgadi Fort is built on a hill beside the Kalyan creek. The fort came under Marathas when Shivaji Maharaj captured Kalyan and Bhiwandi from Adilshah on October 24, 1654. He built the fort close to the creek and used it as a dock to build boats and ships. The city was well fortified and had 11 bastions and multiple entrances. The fort marked the initiation of Maratha Navy.
