Deep Ocean Mission to understand deep sea living and non-living resources of the Indian Ocean thereby aiding efforts on Blue Economy
Union Minister of State, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, M/o Earth Sciences; MoS, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Deep Ocean Mission is intended for the better understanding of the deep sea living and non-living resources of the Indian Ocean thereby aiding efforts on Blue Economy.
In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the Deep Ocean Mission is a multi-ministerial, multi-disciplinary programme with emphasis on development of deep-sea technology that includes development of Manned Submersible rated for 6000 metre water depth along with technologies for deep sea mining, exploration of deep-sea minerals resources and marine biodiversity, development of ocean climate change advisory services, deep sea surveys and exploration, and capacity building in Marine Biology.
The Minister added that the design and development of sub-systems of Manned Submersible to carry 3 humans has been completed and integration is in progress. The design of mining machine is ready and demonstration trial is planned during 2024-26. The activities like exploration of Marine biodiversity, development of ocean climate change advisory services, and acquisition of multidisciplinary research vessel for deep sea surveys is in progress.
Dr Jitendra Singh further said that the technologies developed under the Mission would help in exploration of the oceans and possible harnessing of non-living resources like energy, fresh water, and strategic minerals. The advisories to be developed under Vertical 2 of the Mission about Sea level, intensity and frequency of the storms etc. would be useful for the societal and economical benefits of the Indian coastal regions. Exploration for the strategic minerals like Cobalt, Nickel, Copper and Manganese are expected to pave way for the future commercial exploitation of these resources. Studies on Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion are intended for the offshore generation of energy and fresh water.