(a) whether there is any institute/centre for Ocean Development and research in Chennai;
(b) if so, the details of the amount allocated for that institute/centre during the last three years;
(c) whether any research projects have been carried out in Chennai Centre during the said period;
(d) if so, the funds allocated, disbursed and utilized for the same;
(e) whether any new proposal to undertake R and d works on the Ocean Wealth have been sanctioned;
(f) if so, the details thereof?/
MINISTER FOR OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (DR. MURLI MANOIHAR JOSHI)
(A) TO (D): Yes, Sir. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous body under the department of Ocean Development is located in Chennai. NIOT carries out various technology Development programmes in mission mode. They are: (i) Ocean Energy (ii) Deep Sea Mining & Technology (iii) Coastal & Environmental Engineering (iv) Marine Instrumentation.
In addition, NIOT is also implementing the following Technology support programmes of the Department viz.;
(i) Ocean Science and Technology for Islands
(ii) National Data Buoy Pwrogramme
(iii) Technology development (Mining) for Polymetallic Nodules (PMN) Programme
(iii) Vessel Management Cell for two Coastal Research Vessels
(iv) Physical Oceanographic Studies for Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System (COMAPS) Programme
(vi) Determination of Waste Assimilation Capacity and Waste Load Allocation in the Ennore creek and the Coastal Waters, Chennai
(Rs. In Crores)
Name of the Project Allocation/Disbursement Expenditure During 1998-2001 $ during 1998-2001 @
Mission Mode Programmes viz. 55.18 52.81 Ocean Energy, Deep Sea Mining, Coasal & Environmental Engineering, Marine Instrumentation and facilities.
Vessel Management Cell 8.39 8.23
National data Buoy Programme 17.03 13.54
Technology development (Mining) 15.05 13.93 for PMN Programme
Ocean Sc. and Technology for islands 3.29 2.36 Physical Oceanographic Studies
for COMAPS Programme 1.14 0.74
Determination of waste Assimilation 0.97 0.60 Capacity and Waste Load Allocation in the Ennore creek and the Coastal Waters, Chennai.
TOTAL 101.05 92.21
$ Including unspent balance of the year 1997-98 @ Expenditure for the period 2000-2001 subject to audit.
E & f: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) programme under Ocean Energy mission and Joint Technology development for shallow bed mining are two major R & D projects undertaken by NIOT for tapping the ocean non-living resources.