In 1953, the Boat Repair Shop expanded into a Base Repair Organisation (BRO) and shifted to the location at the mouth of the northwest channel.
In 1958, the progress of Bombay Dockyard's expansion scheme was behind schedule. With the arrival between 1958 and 1961 of the eight new frigates and the aircraft carrier, Bombay Dockyard would not be able to berth these ships alongside. Naval Headquarters therefore proposed that a major naval base be established at Visakhapatnam, starting with a new 1120 foot jetty and a repair workshop. In 1962, sanction was accorded for the construction of the new jetty and the workshop building. Sanction was also accorded for the acquisition of 550 acres of land from the Port Trust.
In 1963, survey ships were temporarily based in Visakhapatnam. The decision was taken to set up a Naval Base and a Dockyard. Machinery and equipment was procured for setting up repair facilities. For the first time, the annual refit of a survey ship was undertaken by the BRO Visakhapatnam making use of the dry docks of Hindustan Shipyard and the Port Trust.
By 1964, plans were in hand for establishing a modern dockyard at Visakhapatnam, capable of undertaking the normal refit and dry docking of one modern frigate and four small craft. In 1965, two survey ships JUMNA and INVESTIGATOR were permanently rebased at Visakhapatnam.
The 1965 Agreement on the Russian acquisitions included the preparation of a Project Report for the Visakhapatnam Project comprising facilities for a naval base and ship support facilities, a submarine base and submarine support facilities, torpedo preparation and repair facilities, a training school for the Russian acquisitions and a modern Naval Dockyard to repair and refit ships and submarines. The Project Report was approved in 1968.
INS Eksila
The INS Eksila, a premier technical establishment of the Navy, performing overhauls of marine gas turbines of the front-line warships, was commissioned at Visakhapatnam in late 2000. Justice Ms M Fathima Beevi, the Governor of Tamil Nadu commissioned the INS Eksila. At an impressive ceremony, the Governor of Tamil Nadu christened the establishment as INS Eksila and complimented the Eastern Naval Command for its unique facility for undertaking overhauls and repairs of gas turbine engines and gas turbnine generators of naval ships.
A ceremonial parade was held on the occasion of the commissioning of the establishment in which a 50-men guard of honour was presented to the Governor. The chief guest unveiled the plaque of INS Eksila. The Commanding Officer, INS Eksila, Cmde KC Sekhar read out the commissioning warrant. Hoisting of Colours for the first time and breaking of the commissioning pennant at the last bar of the national anthem marked the formal commissioning ceremony in an atmosphere of service decorum. Vice Admiral Vinod Pasricha, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command and Vice Admiral ASR Krishnan, Chief of Material from the Naval Headquarters were present at the function.
The establishment is housed with modern equipment, machinery and state-of-the-art facilities for undertaking a complete overhauling of marine gas turbine engines and gas turbine generators of the new generation naval ships including the Rajput class destroyers. The establishment is the only institution of its kind in South-East Asia.
The name 'Eksila' is derived from Eksila Nagaramu, the original name of the present township Warrangal in Andhra Pradesh. The name symbolizes a single rock called 'Eksila'. It was used by King Ganapati Deva to construct the Warrangal Fort.
The establishment is a full fledged and self-supporting unit similar to the other shore establishments in the Navy. Nested in the heavy industrial belt of Gajuwaka, Visakhapatnam, the Marine Gas Turbine Overhaul Centre (MGTOC) is a unique repair organisation of the Indian Navy which has earned international recognition as a centre of excellence in the field of gas turbine overhauls and repairs.
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