(a) the details of the funds allotted by the Government for the ocean development projects during each of the last three years of the Eleventh Five Year Plan;
(b) the details of various ocean development projects being implemented in the country along with status of each project, till March 2010;
(c) whether the Government proposes to increase the budgetary allocation and concentrate more on ocean development projects in the next two years; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTRY OF
EARTH SCIENCES, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF S
TATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)
(a) - (b). The allocation of funds for the ocean development projects during the last three \years of the Eleventh Five Year Plan of 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 were Rs. 354.00 crores,
Rs. 255.00 crores and Rs. 401.62 crores, respectively. A total of 24 projects are being
implemented. Out of these, 19 are progressing well and are on schedule.
These
include
(1) Ocean Observations, and Information System (OOIS),
(2) Indian National Centre for
Ocean Information Services,
(3) Polar Science,
(4) National Centre for Antarctic
and Ocean Research(NCAOR),
(5) Expedition to Arctic,
(6) Ice class Research vessel,
(7)
Polymetallic Nodules Programme,
(8) Delineation of Outer Limits of Continental Shelf,
(9)
Comprehensive Topographic Surveys,
(10) Gas Hydrates Exploration & Technology Development for
Exploitation,
(11) Desalination Technology,
(12) Integrated Ocean Drilling Programme(IODP),
(13) National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT),
(14) Development of manned submersible,
(15) Demonstration of Shore Protection measures through Pilot project,
(16) Coastal Research
Vessels (CRV),
(17) Operation and Maintenance of Sagar Nidhi,
(18) Marine Research and
Technology Developmental Projects, and
(19) Tsunami Early Warning Systems.
Status on the remaining 5 projects is as follows:
(20) There is a problem in implementing Data Buoy programme mainly due to vandalism. Efforts
are underway for deployment of new design buoys to overcome problem of vandalism using Sagar
Manjusha.
(21) Multichannel Seismic System onboard ORV Sagar Kanya program has been deferred
for time being.
(22) Seafront facility project would be launched after completing the
discussions with Government of Tamil Nadu for obtaining necessary land having sea-front.
(23)
NIOT ext. centre West Bengal has been deferred for the time being. (24) National Oceanarium
is likely to be implemented in Kerala and Goa after completing formalities for obtaining land.
(c) - (d). Yes, Madam. The Ministry proposes to increase allocation for ocean development
projects in the next 2 years of XI Five Year Plan to Rs. 464.55 and RS. 693.77 crores for
2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively.