GUWAHATI: On the first day of the Chennai visit organised by PIB Assam for the 12 journalists of Assam, the group was taken onboard INS Bitra navel ship of Indian Navy docked at the Chennai Port.
INS Bitra (T66), the second ship of Bangaram-class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, is designed for interdiction against fast moving surface vessels and for search-and-rescue operations in coastal areas and in the exclusive economic zone. Named after Bitra atoll in Lakshadweep, the vessel was designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers.
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The diesel generators on board are supplied by Cummins India. The electronic equipment on board including satellite communication and global positioning systems is from Bharat Electronics Limited, ECIL and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Rear Admiral Sanjay Vadgaokar commissioned the fast attack ship in Vasco da Gama, Goa on 28 March 2006.
The ship has a displacement of 320 tonnes, a length of 46 metres, a beam of 7.46 metres and is capable of speed in excess of 30 knots. She is manned by a crew of four officers and 40 sailors and is fitted with a medium range and light machine guns.
This enables the ship to perform a wide variety of roles including coastal patrol, search and rescue, coastal security and surface warfare. The ship’s crest depicts a blue and black ‘Sea Horse’ with the characteristic curved tail against a blue background. It has a relevance to Indian mythology, where it is identified as Lord Varun’s 'Vahana'. The ship’s motto ‘Courage and Beyond’ clearly defines the unrelenting resolve and fighting spirit of her crew.
Lt (IN) Hardik Shrimali welcomed the group from Assam and elaborated on various details of the naval ship. Smita Saikia MCO PIB Assam, who has led the group of journalists, felicitated Lt Shrimali with a gamusa ans thanked Indian Navy for exposure tour to the battleship.