India is poised to become the sixth country to launch its own deep sea mission, a move expected to significantly boost the economy, said Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh. During a meeting discussing the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ 100-day action plan, Dr. Singh expressed satisfaction with the mission’s progress and India’s advancement in ocean exploration.
The mission, Dr. Singh noted, goes beyond mineral exploration, encompassing the development of ocean sciences, exploration of marine flora and fauna, and conservation of marine biodiversity. He highlighted the mission’s broad impact, including deep sea exploration, rare earth metals commercial exploitation, and the discovery of poly-metallic nodules in the Indian seabed.
Dr. Singh emphasized the importance of developing indigenous technology to reduce dependence on foreign technology and promote a resilient blue economy. He urged scientists and officials to focus on empowering those who rely on the ocean for their livelihood.
Additionally, Dr. Singh praised the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) for its work on ‘Matsya 6000’, a submersible capable of reaching depths of 6,000 meters. He directed officials to complete the first stage of harbor trials by September 2024, with subsequent trials to be finished by 2026.
Source: The Free Press Journal