Lok Sabha Question No. 3219 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Implementation of Deep Ocean Mission
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3219

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 19 TH  MARCH, 2025

## IMPLEMENTATION OF DEEP OCEAN MISSION

## 3219.     SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI:

Will the Minister of Earth Sciences be pleased to state:

- (a) the specific milestones achieved so far under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) since its approval along with the details of any delays or challenges faced in its implementation;
- (b) the  current  status  of  the  development  of  deep-sea  mining  technologies,  including  the manned submersible and integrated mining system along with the expected timeline for their operationalization;
- (c) the  progress  made  in  the  exploration  of  polymetallic  nodules  and  hydrothermal sulphides along with the details of any findings or setbacks encountered;
- (d) the  extent  to  which  research  collaborations  with  private  industries  and  academic institutions  have  been  established  for  indigenizing  critical  technologies  under  the Mission; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  a  concrete  strategy  for  the sustainable commercial utilization of deep-sea resources and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a  to  c) The  Deep  Ocean Mission is  a multidisciplinary  initiative  of  the Government  of  India, launched  in  2021,  to  be  chiefly  implemented  by  the  Ministry  of  Earth  Sciences.  The mission has six verticals, namely, a) Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining and Manned Submersible, Underwater Vehicles and Underwater Robotics for exploring and  harnessing  ocean  resources,  b)  Development  of  Ocean  Climate  Change Advisory Services,  c)  Technological  innovation  for  exploration  and  conservation  of  deep-sea biodiversity, d) Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration, e) Energy and Freshwater from the Ocean, and f) Advance Marine Station for Ocean Biology.

The  design,  realisation  of  components,  and  integration  of  India's  flagship  human submersible  named  'Matsya  6000'  aimed  to  carry  three  humans  to  a  depth  of  6000 meters  with  a  suite  of  scientific  sensors  for  ocean  exploration  and  observation  are complete. The system has been designed and tested per international standards and is successfully  demonstrated  with  three  crew  onboard  at  the  Katupalli  harbour  near Chennai for its functionality (including floatation, stability, manoeuvrability, power and control devices, and human support and safety). The Matsya 6000 is to operationalise for  scientific  exploration  after  demonstration  in  deep  waters.  For  deep-sea  mining,  a self-propelled  seabed  nodule  mining  system  has  been  developed,  and  exploratory mining trials for polymetallic nodules were successfully conducted in the Andaman Sea EEZ.

The  deep-sea  observation  system  of  50  Argo  floats  and  57  wave  drifters  have  been deployed,  and  11  gilder  missions  have  been  completed  in  the  Bay  of  Bengal  and  the Arabian  Sea,  which  are  utilised  at  the  modelling  facility  established  at  INCOIS, Hyderabad, for predicting ocean climate.

Under exploration of deep-sea biodiversity, 19 seamounts in the Arabian Sea have been surveyed, and 1,062 samples have been collected, representing 128 species, of which 38 are  new  species,  and  23  species  were  found  to  be  new  to  Indian  EEZ.  Nearly  940 distinct  heterotrophic  deep-sea  bacteria,  360  actinobacteria,  and  101  fungal  and  222 yeast isolates have been collected and characterised.

A survey for potential sites of multi-metal hydrothermal sulphide mineralisation along the  Indian  Ocean  mid-oceanic  ridges  using  autonomous  underwater  vehicles  was conducted, leading to the identification of two active and two inactive vents. A multipurpose  ocean  research  vessel  has  been  designed,  and  construction  of  the  vessel  has commenced at GRSE, Kolkata, which facilitates deep ocean research.

To harness Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) for generating power and fresh water on a pilot scale for offshore set-up, an Expression of Interest was floated by the National Institute of Ocean Technology to understand the capability of such technology demonstration within India.

For  capacity  building,  a  human  enterprise  has  been  established  through  collaborative projects  involving  national  institutions  and  academia  under  the  Advanced  Marine Station  for  Ocean  Biology.  Courses  in  ocean  sciences  at  recognised  universities  and research fellowships have been initiated.

Several mission activities are being done as a first in the country, prioritising indigenous development and collaboration within national institutes.  Involvement of human  crew further necessitates international-level adherence to standards and certification.

The challenges faced in the implementation of the mission include issues related to the supply chain due to COVID-19 in the import of certain components and identification of the shipyard for building the new research vessel, which are addressed to complete the activities of the mission with an extended time period.

- (d) The  Titanium  alloy  personnel  sphere  for  Matsya  6000  meters  operations  is  being developed indigenously with ISRO. The welding facility for the Matsya 6000 titanium alloy personnel sphere (using an electron beam source) by ISRO is a first-of-its-kind for such  80  mm thickness  welding  in the country. The  bio-vest  for  the  submersible  crew members and select underwater applications, such as the inertial navigation system, are being developed with DRDO. Environmental impact assessment relating to surveys and exploration is conducted with CSIR-NIO. Further, collaborative research projects have been  initiated  under  thematic  areas  of  all  six  verticals  of  Deep  Ocean  Mission  with leading national government and academic institutes where industry is involved.
- (e) Survey and exploration activities in the Central Indian Ocean Basin Central and South West  Indian  Ridges  and  exploratory  mining  are  conducted  as  part  of  India's  contract with the International Sea-bed Authority. Further, the Union Cabinet has approved India to sign the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement or the 'High Seas'  Treaty,  which  sets  mechanisms  for  the  sustainable  use  of  marine  biological diversity  through  international  cooperation  and  coordination.  It  follows  an  inclusive, integrated, ecosystem-centric approach  based  on  the precautionary principle and promotes  using  traditional  knowledge  and  the  best  available  scientific  knowledge.  It helps  minimise  impacts  on  the  marine  environment  through  area-based  management tools  and  establishes  rules  for  conducting  environmental  impact  assessments.  The Ministry of Earth Sciences is spearheading the country's implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.