DefExpo rubs off on Chennaiites: thousands visit warships at port

Over 10,000 people thronged the Island Grounds to have a glimpse of the naval warships docked at the Chennai port on Friday.

The warships that were there for public viewing as part of the DefExpo 2018 saw visitors making a beeline to the Island Grounds from where the Indian Navy had arranged transportation to the port.

The four indigenously built naval warships were Sahyadri, Sumitra, Kamorta and Airavat.

The exhibition will continue on Saturday and Sunday. The exhibition time is from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors need a valid identity card to be allowed into the ships.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that more buses will ply from Island Ground to ferry visitors to the naval ships.

In a series of tweets, she has said there is no limit on the number of visitors and two more ships will be added for visiting.

Taken in batches

“The crowd started trickling in as early as 7.30 a.m. and people were taken in batches. At one point, the queue of visitors at the entrance gate almost stretched to 500 metres with the police having a tough time regulating the crowd,” said a police officer posted at the gate.

Traffic police personnel posted in large numbers to prevent any traffic congestion on Flag Staff Road ensured that the visitors parked the vehicles on the sides of the road.

S. Manish, a resident of Sowcarpet, said his entire family of eight, including two children, were thrilled by the majestic ships lined up at the port. Happy with the arrangements made by the naval and police authorities, he intends to return with his friends.

“On Friday alone, more than 10,000 people visited the ships. We are taking all steps to ensure that each and every visitor is satisfied, not disappointed,” said Alok Bhatnagar, Flag Officer Commanding, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area.

Special buses

Mr. Bhatnagar said on the first day the naval authorities were operating 22 buses, which would be increased to 32 buses on Saturday (April 14) and 48 buses on Sunday (April 15) for the convenience of the public.