24 June:Honourable Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri MM Pallam Raju inaugurated the Naval Enclave at Kakinada on Tuesday, 24 Jun 08, by laying the foundation stone in the presence of Vice Admiral Nirmal Verma, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.
Rear Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet and other Senior Naval Officers and men witnessed the Event. Speaking on the Occasion, the Minister expressed happiness that the Navy is gainfully employing this land through the Advanced Amphibious Warfare School and Fleet Support Complex that will be housed here. He affirmed that the Navy’s presence would enhance the maritime security in the region and contribute to the development of the local economy as well.
The inauguration was followed by an Operational Demonstration staged on the beach adjoining the Naval land. Diverse manoeuvres were on display including Slithering and Beach Assault by the Marine Commandos, Formation Beaching Operations by Landing Craft Mechanised and Auxiliary, from INS Jalashwa and INS Kesari respectively, with vehicles rolling out followed by a Land Fighting Demonstration by the Army Troops of the 18 Madras Regiment, a Steam Past by the Landing Craft and a Fly Past by Sea King and Chetak helicopters.
On completion of the Ceremony, the Raksha Rajya Mantri left for the Eastern Naval Command where he held discussions over a working lunch, with Vice Admiral Nirmal Verma and other Senior Naval and Civil Administration Officers on a host of Military-Civil issues. These included Shri Veerabhadraiah, Joint Collector, Shri MS Rao, Deputy Chairman VPT, Shri VN Vishnu, Vice Chairman VUDA, Shri N Samba Siva Rao, Commissioner of Police, Shri PAB Raju, Executive Director HPCL, Shri GSN Reddy, General Manager CFL and Shri RS Jhanwar, Project Director, NHAI.