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Vikrant issue still deadlocked

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal held the second rounds of talks with local fisherfolk in a bid to persuade them and pave the way for the Vikrant maritime museum project to come up at the Jamshed Bunder, or Sassoon Dock, as desired by the Indian Navy.

Bhujbal, who also holds the tourism portfolio, in a last-minute effort to save the ship, held a couple of meetings with fishermen leaders in which senior officials of the Indian Navy, Tata Consultancy Service, state government and the Mumbai Port Trust were present. The fisherfolk, who will meet tonight, will inform the government about their decision tomorrow.

Though several sites for berthing were discussed, the navy maintained that the ideal place is Jamshed Bunder, near the Gateway of India. Among the other sites that were discussed at the meeting are near Elephanta Caves, off Nariman Point, Sasoon Dock as well as Oyster Rock.

A senior official of the Indian Navy said, ''Though several sites were discussed the ideal location is the Jamshed Bunder. The ball is now in the government's court. They will have to pursue the fishermen to pave way for the project. We feel that any other site is not feasible for the project.''

Fishermen leader Damodar Tandel, who also attended the meeting, urged the government to provide employment to 500 people, who will be displaced by the project. Bhujbal said priority would be given to the fishermen and their families when employment opportunities come up in the project.

Emerging out of the meeting, Bhujbal said, ''The objective is to save the Vikrant, which is of heritage importance. We want that it be converted into a museum.''

UNI

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