INS Surat arrives at Hazira port, public disappointed over no access

In the spirit of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’, the Indian Navy’s latest guided missile destroyer, INS Surat, arrived at Hazira Port in Surat on Thursday afternoon. The ship was greeted with a ceremonial welcome by NCC cadets, naval officers, and dignitaries – but public enthusiasm was dampened by restricted access.

As the vessel docked at Adani Port around noon, it received a water cannon salute from tugboats, followed by a flag-waving reception by cadets. The arrival of the ship – named after Gujarat’s economic hub, Surat– sparked pride among locals.

However, despite the celebratory atmosphere, many citizens expressed disappointment as access to view the ship was limited to invited guests only. The warship will remain docked at the port for two days, but the general public has not been permitted entry due to security and operational protocols.

The welcome ceremony was attended by key figures including Indian Navy Commanding Officer Captain Sandeep Shaurya, Lieutenant Commander Parth Sahrawat, Rajya Sabha MP Govind Dholakia, Surat MP Mukesh Dalal, Adani Port COO Neeraj Bansal, and the District Collector.

INS Surat, commissioned on January 15, 2025, is the Indian Navy’s most recent indigenously-built guided missile destroyer. Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai, the warship is a milestone in India’s maritime capabilities, with over 75% indigenous content.

While citizens remain proud of this achievement, the lack of public access left many hoping for a future opportunity to witness the pride of the Indian Navy up close.