Samudrayaan Mission Gets Rs 600 Crore Boost

Why in the news?

The Union Budget allocated Rs 600 crore for India’s Samudrayaan Mission under the Deep Ocean Mission to explore deep-sea resources, develop advanced technologies, and send a manned submersible to 6,000 meters underwater.

Samudrayaan Mission Gets Rs 600 Crore Boost

Key Highlights:

  • The Union Budget allocated Rs 600 crore for India’s Deep Ocean Mission, aimed at exploring the ocean’s depths.
  • The mission features the development of “Samudrayaan”, a submersible designed to dive up to 6,000 meters below the sea.
  • This project will enable India to map deep ocean floors, develop advanced technologies, and support sustainable deep-sea resource utilization.

Technological Developments:

  • The mission focuses on creating a manned submersible capable of withstanding immense underwater pressures at 6,000 meters depth.
  • Key advancements include engineering solutions for offshore thermal energy-driven desalination plants.
  • Development of technologies for deep-sea mining is another essential component to harness bioresources

Strategic Importance:

  • Managed by the Chennai-based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), the initiative aims to position India as a leader in deep-sea exploration.
  • The project aligns with India’s goals to harness marine resources and improve ocean research capabilities.
  • Sustainable deep-sea mining can contribute to critical resource extraction, supporting the nation’s energy and environmental objectives.

About Samudrayaan Mission:

  • Aims to send three personnel to a depth of 6,000 meters in the submersible MATSYA 6000.
  • Developed by NIOT, Chennai under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  • Endurance: 12 hours under normal operation, 96 hours in emergencies.
  • Part of the Rs 6000 crore Deep Ocean Mission, India’s first manned ocean mission.

Significance:

  • Enables scientific observation of unexplored deep-sea regions.
  • Supports India’s Blue Economy vision and coastal economic growth.

Deep Ocean Mission:

  • Approved in June 2021, with a budget of Rs 4,077 crore over five years.

Other Initiatives:

  • India-Norway Task Force, Sagarmala Project, O-SMART, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, and National Fisheries Policy.

The Samudrayaan Mission, part of the Deep Ocean Mission, represents a significant step forward in India’s technological and scientific endeavors. The financial boost from the government will help achieve milestones in deep-sea exploration and sustainable marine resource utilization.