VAdm. Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, inaugurated residential accommodations for the defence civilians of Indian Navy, and Station Health Organisation along with trunk utility and access infrastructure as part of Project Seabird Phase IIA at Naval Base, Karwar, on 15 October 2026 in the presence of VAdm Vivek Dahiya, Director General Seabird, and other senior officers.

The inaugurated residential and hospital facilities include five towers of 300 dwelling units for naval defence civilians and Station Health Organisation Complex as part of augmentation of existing hospital, INHS Patanjali, to a capacity of 409 beds. These are supported by a two lakh litre hill top water reservoir and a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).

The growing strength of Karwar Naval Base demands progressive enhancement in its clean environment conformity and smooth access facility. Towards this a contemporary integrated Solid Waste Management Facility and access gate along with bridge infrastructure to facilitate four-lane vehicular traffic with dedicated pedestrian and cycle pathways were also inaugurated.

These infrastructure developments are part of ongoing Phase IIA of Project Seabird whose scope includes construction of a dual-use Naval Air Station, a full-fledged Naval Dockyard and logistics facilities for ships and aircraft. The naval base housing approx. 10,000 uniformed and civilian personnel with families, will significantly boost the local economy, industry and tourism and create numerous direct and indirect job opportunities for the Uttara Kannada region.

The project conforms to extant norms of ministry of environment, forest & climate change (MoEF & CC), Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and upon completion would be IGBC Gold rated. The project aligns with the concept of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, sourcing over 90 percent of materials and equipment domestically.