The research lab building of the National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR) being set up here, for which stone was laid on Saturday on the beach road, will have an underground pipeline to draw fresh seawater for studying various characteristics of the Bay of Bengal.
The pipeline estimated to be 250 metres long will draw water at a depth of five to six metres for carrying out various investigations and studies. The research laboratory construction will involve an investment of Rs.20 crore. This will be the first laboratory building on the east coast.
NIO-Goa Director S.W.A. Naqvi told The Hindu that the laboratory complex would have state-of-the art facilities to carry out 24x7 research on marine biological activity, behaviour of tidal waves, coastal erosion, aerosol change, green-house effect, biochemistry of the Bay and the rivers joining it.
He said they had appointed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited as consultant for construction of the complex. The timeline set for completing construction was two years. Nearly four acres of government land was allotted for the project in 2006. Stone-laying had been delayed inordinately due to certain objections over Coastal Regulation Zone violation and, subsequently, owing to encroachments denying access to the site.
The complex would also have a marine aquarium housing ecologically sensitive and rare species. For exploring oil, gas and hydrates in Krishna-Godavari basin, the findings of the laboratory would be of great help.
“It’s pretty exciting time for all of us as after a long wait, our dream is coming true. We have facilities in Goa, Kochi and Mumbai, all on the west coast. Though we have presence in Visakhapatnam since 1976, our regional office has been functioning in two rented buildings. We will increase the number of our scientists in the city from 11 to 25 and there is no dearth of manpower here as Andhra University has masters course in oceanography and meteorology,” he said.
