INS Viraat had started its final journey after about six decades of service. Viraat started its final journey from Mumbai to Kochi. All valuable equipment on board like engines, radars, guns will be dismantled to prepare it for the decommissioning. The ship will then be towed back to Mumbai where it will be decommissioned.
Andhra Pradesh and Goa tried to bag the warship to turn it in to a tourist spot. But there is no clarity about what happens to that after decommissioning. AP government is looking to convert the ship into a star hotel and floating museum to attract tourists from across the world.
Tourism activities like sea sports, yachting, sailing, gliding and cruising will also be made available on the warship. A fivestar luxury hotel with about 1,500 rooms is also part of the plan. Heli-tourism will also be encouraged. But then it would cost some 700 Crore to the state which the cash strapped state could not afford such huge amount.