Soon, Indian scientists will be going to depths of up to 6,000 metres to unravel the mysteries of the ocean. The Chennai-based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is all set to initiate a tendering process to identify global firms to build the submersible capsule.

But what’s causing much excitement at the NIOT right now is the arrival of Sagar Nidhi, an elegant 103.6-metre long ICE class ship, at the Chennai Port on January 11. Built by Italian ship-builder Fincantieri for Rs 232 crore, Sagar Nidhi, which is equipped to launch submersibles, will assist scientists in their sea adventure. The ship will be dedicated to the nation soon by Union Minister Kapil Sibal in a grand ceremony in Chennai.

“We are not far away from manned submersibles,” D Rajasekhar, head of NIOT vessel management cell, told The Indian Express. He disclosed that the NIOT would be soon floating global tenders for building a submersible which could cost Sibal’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences about Rs 150 crore.

“Two or three scientists can travel in the capsule to depths of up to 6,000 metres and explore the sea floor. For this we need a capsule that can withstand pressure and temperature of full ocean depth,” he said.

Besides experiencing the thrill of just being at sea depths and feeling the currents and sea conditions, scientists will be able to do a sea bottom profile and study micro-organisms. The capsule would be built to withstand 600 bar (unit of pressure) under the sea at such depths, said Rajasekhar.

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