KOCHI: The Indian Navy has put the security around Willingdon Island on alert with its prized, home-grown possession - the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) -- setting out to quay at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL).While the officials at the Southern Naval Command (SNC) refused to divulge any details, Express has confirmed that the areas in and around the ‘current position’ of the IAC (INS Vikrant) are very closely monitored since its float-out last week.Though the IAC, an air defence ship, is currently under the control of the CSL, the Indian Navy is taking no chances and has increased armed patrol.Teams from the Sagar Prahari Bal are also said to be monitoring all movements closely. The naval officials here adopted an extremely diplomatic stand when Express sought information on the post-IOC float-out security.“The more we speak about it, the more we let our plans out. With the ship at the quay, we will have our plans intact, though it is currently under the CSL custody,” an official said.Even commercial vessels that operate in the vicinity of the CSL/IAC are being put under observation.A senior serving naval official, who agreed to part with information initially back-tracked a day later, was quoting his higher-ups getting worried, if the ‘security cover’ for the IAC becomes a talking point.The CSL sources said that the float-out completed the phase-I activities of the IAC with the hull construction.“We have established that the vessel can float safely. There have been delays due to various equipment developing serious snags. We have addressed them and have conducted a series of underwater trials, in addition to testing all hi-end technologies time and again. The phase-II work has begun and it mainly consists of out-fitting jobs. The platform will be re-docked again,” sources said.The Indian Navy is also planning to upgrade the security levels at its Gunnery School (INS Dronacharaya) inside Willingdon Island. Tenders have been called for the supply, installation and commission of CCTV surveillance systems all along the periphery, including the seafront, of INS Dronacharaya.“We are looking for a complete package which gives us gapless, round-the-clock and all weather security coverage. The tenders are in and we will finalise after scrutinizing the technical and price formalities,” sources said.
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