India to deploy 1st human-operated underwater submersible by 2026

India is set to make history with the deployment of its first human-operated underwater submersible by 2026 under the ambitious Deep Ocean Mission. This initiative aims to extend India's deep-sea exploration capabilities from 500 meters to an astonishing 6,000 meters. Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that the mission will strengthen India's leadership in marine research and technological innovation. The focus will be on exploring rare minerals and studying marine biodiversity to boost economic growth and sustainable practices.

About

Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated the initial submersible can reach depths of 500 meters now while they have scheduled development to reach 6,000 meters by 2026. Deep-sea exploration technological leadership will position India among a limited group of nations through this ambitious mission.
The mission's research targets both rare minerals and marine biodiversity at depths that the minister described as crucial for India's economic development environmental sustainability and resource utilization.

Significance

The mission represents a historic undertaking to establish a durable blue economic model capable of creating long-term advantages from sustainable fisheries activities and mineral extraction and biodiversity protection.

• Technology & Innovation: Indian scientists have created all systems components for this mission using self-developed indigenous technology at each step of development and manufacturing establishing India as a global leader in research and technology independence.
• Economic and Environmental Impact: The ocean depth exploration enables India to recover essential resources that strengthen its financial base while advancing sustainable marine practices for environmental protection.

Other Government Initiatives in the Maritime Sector:

Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030

• Objective: India aims to enhance its maritime sector development by creating advanced mega ports and transshipment facilities and updating port facilities nationwide.
• Goal: India's maritime trade leadership position will emerge through ports expanding their capacity and upgrading their connections and operational abilities.

Sagarmala Programme

• Flagship Initiative: Launched under the direction of the Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways.
• Focus Areas: The maritime development initiative harnesses the potential of India's 7,500 km shoreline together with its 14,500 km waterways system.
• The development of port infrastructure together with expanded connectivity and reduced logistics costs remains a fundamental objective.

Inland Waterways Development

• Action: IWAI identified 26 national waterways that require navigable status as part of its operations.
• Benefits: The new transportation routes reduce street and rail congestion by creating sustainable cost-efficient mobility alternatives.

Major Port Authorities Act, 2021

• Impact: Major ports gain operational independence under this new bill, which provides them maximum flexibility to work more efficiently thus boosting their competitiveness and operational effectiveness.

Decarbonisation of Shipping Sector

• Focus: Green hydrogen production hubs should establish at Paradip, Tuticorin and Kandla major ports to expand sustainable maritime energy supply systems.

Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP):

• Goal: Indian ports should over an upcoming period abolish their conventional fleet of tugboats that use petroleum fuels and begin adapting to propulsion systems with renewable environmentally-friendly energy sources.
• Timeline: Full transition to an eco-friendly fleet by 2040.

National Logistics Portal (Marine)

• Objective: This exclusive digital platform integrates operations between cargo providers banking institutions financial organizations and government regulatory bodies creating enhanced coordination throughout maritime disciplines.

Sagar Setu App

• Purpose: The use of this platform enhances business operations through optimized port operations that simplify cargo production and supply along with open monitoring systems that minimize delivery times.

Challenges in the Maritime Sector

Infrastructural Issues

• Port Congestion: The insufficient equipment needed to handle big container volumes at ports creates operational delays and reduced performance.
• Sub-optimal Transport Modal Mix: Both large and minor ports suffer from insufficient infrastructure to link shipping with land transportation which leads to lower transportation efficiency.

Sustainability and Emissions

• Fuel Transition: Implementation of sustainable fuels in maritime operations remains complex because of difficulties in reducing carbon pollution and realizing net-zero missions beyond current time frames.

Pollution and Environmental Concerns

• Oil Spills and Pollution: During cargo loading and unloading procedures spills and leaks regularly occur which leads to environmental polluting effects.

Conclusion

The Deep Ocean Mission will bring India ahead of other nations because it aims to launch its first underwater submersible vessel by 2026. The mission targets explorations of rare minerals together with studies of marine biodiversity through sustainable practices as part of India's Maritime India Vision 2030 initiatives. The project faces current barriers including infrastructure deficiencies as well as sustainable practices but demonstrates potential for generating both environmental advantages and lasting economic impacts while improving India's maritime technology autonomy and sustainability efforts.