Dr Harsh Vardhan dedicates coastal research vessel to Nation

Union Minister for Ocean Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan  dedicated Sagar Anveshika a coastal research vessel to the Nation at the Chennai Port Trust today. Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that India has developed its marine research capability at par with the best in the world. He said that Indian Scientists are able to precisely forecast the weather, which is very beneficial to 43 million farmers in the Country.

The SMS services on the conducive weather for agricultural purposes have resulted in benefitting the farmers 50 times more than usual as well as contribution to the GDP. He also said that the



Tsunami in 2004 had caught the Country unaware but after the deployment of the marine research vehicles, the scientists are able to predict an upcoming natural calamity beforehand so that many lives can be saved. 

The Minister said that Marine scientists can travel six kilometers below the sea and stay for more than 16 hours and can conduct research activities. SAGAR ANVESHIKA, a very complex platform which will enable scientists to conduct various oceanographic research missions aboard, will house state of the art laboratories equipped with modern scientific instruments.