(a) the time by which the repair works on Chennai''s doppler radar at Port Trust Centenary building is expected to be completed;
(b) the current stage of progress and the steps that have been taken by the Ministry to ensure that the project is completed at the earliest; and
(c) the difficulties being faced, if any, in expediting these repair works?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) The task of refurbishment of Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) Chennai was handed over to ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), ISRO under Dept. of Space. The work is in progress to make the radar system for normal operation under the supervision of ISTRAC.
However, the work order is yet to be placed by ISRO to Indian Vendor for manufacturing and installation of the Gear Assembly. It will take about 7 months for replacement of defective mechanical part and servicing of DWR Chennai.
(b) With the help of ISRO, the roller bearings have been replaced now. The refurbished parts have enabled the radar to be functional for a few hours, but not for round the clock operations. Hence, this radar is now being operated as and when cyclone is to be tracked and/or on requirement basis for monitoring severe weather development.
(c) For the past one year, there are problems in the antennae system of the radar due to wear and tear of the mechanical systems, in gears and bearings in the pedestal. Spare parts of the antennae system are not available with the OEM since the model is phased out. In order to work round-the-clock, the gear parts need to be repaired, hence efforts are underway to design and fabricate such gear box with the help from ISRO.