Residents of Bandra along with tourists can now have an opportunity to get a sneak peek of the functioning of the Indian Navy as the Jet Fighter plane ‘Sea Harrier SH 617’ has been installed at BJ Road, Bandstand. This Indian Naval Ship (INS) Viraat sea fighter plane has been installed by the Indian Navy on request accepted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Peter deSouza, Convener and Director of the Brihanmumbai Interschool Republic Day (BIRD) parade group, initiated this project along with the Rear Admiral R Pedankar of the Indian Navy. deSouza said, “We started working on this project in October 2019. This plane was the last Sea Harrier standing so it is a special one.”
This plane will be accessible to the common public, visitors and tourists alike, says Asif Zakaria, BMC Corporator. Zakaria said, “We have displayed the Sea Harrirer in a suspended manner so that it projects as if it is taking off. Anybody and everybody walking around Bandstand will be able to look at this installation as there are no grills or barricades.”
The fighter plane installed weighs around 4.5 tonnes approximately. It was part of the INS Viraat, an aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy, which was commissioned to the Indian Navy on May 12, 1987 and served for 30 years till it was formally decommisioned in March 2017. INS Viraat was the last British-built ship serving with the Indian Navy and was the oldest aircraft carrier in service in the world.
Officers of the Indian Navy installed the Sea Harrier SH 617 at Bandstand on March 14, 2020. Captain Paresh Kowli, Indian Navy, said, “We helped in the installation of SH 617 at Bandstand.”
Along with the installation, Architect Rinka D’monte has designed the space including the pathway around the plane. D’monte said, “In order to enhance the installation of the Sea Harrier, we have designed a pathway around it. We will lit up the space so that it serves as an iconic tourist attraction. There is going to be a seating place too in the space around the plane.”
For the maintenance of this project, deSouza has suggested the project will be maintained by every school of Bandra for one month on a rotational basis. deSouza said, “We have many schools in Bandra who are willing to maintain this project on a monthly basis. Students and faculty members of a school can visit the site and manage basic maintenance like cleaning the space around, watering and gardening. It will provide an opportunity for students to interact with the Indian Navy and BMC while gaining a sense of responsibility.”
In addition, the BJ Road where the Sea Harrier has been installed has a strong military tradition. deSouza said, “The BJ Road where the Sea Harrier is now installed has had four Vice Admirals, two Lieutenant Generals and three Air Vice Marshalls hosted there along with many senior military officers since 2014. Also, this road has displayed the MMCB (Mobile Missile Coastal Battery), the Pechora Missiles, the L70 Artillery of the Army and Air Defence major hardware during the Republic Day parade.”
According to the BMC, the entire project costs about Rs 30 to 35 lakhs. A senior official of BMC said, “People who have worked for this project have done it for free.” This project comprising of the installation of the plane was accepted by Sharad Ughade, former Assistant municipal commissioner (AMC) H-West ward. After Ughade, the project was led by current AMC offficer Vinayak Vispute.
