The decommissioned naval aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant is a week away from being tethered close to shore, as the next favourable high tide is forecast on June 12.

On May 30, the last high tide day, the vessel moved only a few metres forward, and still remains some distance from shore.
Even as the next hearing in the Supreme Court is a month away, the vessel’s new owner, IB Commercial Pvt Ltd, wants to secure her before the monsoon commences.

IB Commercial purchased the vessel in April at an e-auction for Rs 68 crore, but have been prevented from breaking it down for scrap due to a petition launched by the Save Vikrant Committee. INS Vikrant was moved out of the Naval Dockyard last Thursday and entered civilian waters, and is at present berthed at the Darukhana ship-breaking yard, where it awaits being broken down for scrap. The water is too shallow for the vessel to drift closer to shore.

Apart from the Navy, which conducts aerial sorties several times a day, the vessel is also guarded by the local police, and a private security agency contracted by IB Commercial.