Foundation stone laid for National Centre for Coastal Research in Vizag

Union Minister of Science and Technology, Environment, Forest and Climate Changes and Earth Sciences, Harsh Vardhan laid the foundation stone for National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) and Training Facility for India Meteorological Department (IMD) and NCCR in Vizag.

Speaking at the event at the Dolphin Hills on Friday, Mr Vardhan said that India has taken major strides in weather forecasting and scientific research. Citing INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services) in Hyderabad, the minister said that the country was in a position to predict calamities and issue warnings to other countries too. He further exuded confidence that the construction of NCCR, for which the stone was laid, would be completed in two years.

Vice Admiral and Chief of Staff of Eastern Naval Command (ENC) MS Pawar, who was also speaking on this occasion, highlighted the fact that the threats to our country are not just from forces trying to intrude from the neighbouring countries but also from factors such as erosion, inundation and rise in the sea levels due to climate change.

Mr Pawar said that the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) would serve in understanding different oceanic factors and help in interacting with the coast. Reportedly, the facility will be having researchers, scientists, and oceanographers from National Institute for Ocean Technology (NIOT).