Saturday February 11 2006
VISAKHAPATNAM: Arrangements are complete for the Indian Navy’s ninth President’s Fleet Review (PFR) - which gets underway at R K Beach Road here tomorrow to last three days.
Commander of the Indian Defence forces President APJ Abdul Kalam will be aboard Offshore Patrol Vehicle (OPV) INS Sukanya to review the fleet. The event held once in five years will ensure participation of 67 warships, 41 aircraft and three submarines this time. Kalam will also present President’s Colours to the Eastern Fleet on the last day of the event in recognition of its services.
While 41 ships have already been anchored for the review, the remaining 22 are expected to join tomorrow. They include INS Virat, five destroyers of Delhi Class and Brahmaputra Class and the Russian-made Talwar Class.
Though PFR is always held in Mumbai, it is being held in the East Coast in the city for the first time.
About three lakh people are expected to witness the illumination of the ships, fire works, aerobatics by Naval aircraft and demonstrations, including dare devil feats by Navy personnel.
“We have chosen the East Coast, particularly Visakhapatnam, because the deep sea is close to the beach here unlike in Mumbai,” Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash told reporters on Friday.
This would enable people watch the fleet review from the beach itself. The other reason was India’s ‘Look East’ foreign policy aimed at improving ties with ASEAN countries, he said.
The city administration began preparations for the event four months back by taking up road-widening, illumination of streets and beautification of the city.
Security is tight all around with police keeping a strict vigil on the roads through which the VVIP convoys pass through during the three days.
However, there was no hardship for the joggers, morning walkers and visitors who stood by to watch the sailors during the dress rehearsals.
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