Titagarh Wagons launches the second research vessel Sagar Anveshika for NIOT

Ambarnath Bhattacharya, abptakmaa, Kolkata, 2nd Sept 2019 : Titagarh Wagons Limited, a flagship company of the Titagarh Group, has further reiterated its commitment towards the Government’s vision of ‘Make in India’, by successfully launching the second Research Vessel – SAGAR ANVESHIKA.With this launch, Titagarh Wagons has become the only private shipyard to build and deliver complex vessels ahead of schedule. SAGAR TARA, the first of the Coastal Research Vessels which was built for National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, was launched in December 2018 and has been delivered to NIOT in August 2019. SAGAR ANVESHIKA, the second vessel was launched, today, 4 months ahead of schedule despite being a very complex platform which will enable scientists to conduct various oceanographic research missions aboard her. ‘SAGAR ANVESHIKA’ will house state of the art laboratories equipped with modern scientific instruments.

The significant event of the vessel launch for NIOT was graced by the august presence of Chief Guest Dr. M. A. Atmanand, Director NIOT, Guest of Honour, Rear Admiral Vipin Kumar Saxena (Retd.) Chairman & Managing Director, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., Kolkata, , Dr. D. Rajasekhar, Project Director, Vessel Management Cell, NIOT, Mr. B. K. Thakur, Project Director, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India and Mr. Jagdish Prasad Chowdhary, Executive Chairman, Titagarh Wagons Limited. Keeping with the tradition, the vessel was launched by Mrs. K Saxena, wife of Rear Adm. VK Saxena, IN (Retd.), CMD GRSE. Various other dignitarieswere also present marking this a momentous occasion commemorating the milestone in the company’s history.

In February 2017, Titagarh had signed a contract from National Institute of Ocean Technology under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India for design, construction and delivery of two high end coastal research vessels valued at INR 100 crore.

Dr. M. A. Atmanand, Director National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), commented, “Titagarh Wagons has again showcased their technical prowess in dealing with the complexity of manufacturing yet another vessel for the advancement of ocean technology and research in India. With these two new vessels that NIOT will now proudly own, our research and exploration competencies will amplify further, benefiting the country and her citizens in multiple dimensions. It is praiseworthy for Titagarh that the first vessel Sagar Tara has been achieving low vibration and noise levels – critical for good performance of a Research Vessel. Augmenting Coastal and Oceanic Research capabilities of the country have always been a priority for the Indian Government. Even more, when India’s private sector participation in partnering the Government is seen at an optimal high boosting the vision of ‘Make in India’. I congratulate Titagarh Wagons along with each and every partner who has made this project possible at par with international standards.”

 

Elaborating about the launch of the second research vessel, Mr. Jagdish Prasad Chowdhary, Executive Chairman, Titagarh Wagons Limited, stated, “At Titagarh Wagons, our team of shipbuilders has given us great satisfaction today, since as a company we are substantially contributing to India’s naval security and helping to augment research technology. We have earned the unique distinction of launching four ships within a record time. On behalf of the entire Titagarh Group, I thank the delegation from Ministry of Earth Sciences and NIOT who have graced today’s occasion and have inspired us to continue our mission of ‘Make in India’, by building quality ships for Government and Defence sector.”

These new ships are proposed to be utilized for shallow water operations [Surface Water Quality Monitoring (SWQM) Program, shallow water testing of various underwater components, Drugs from sea, Bathymetry survey of Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ], Environmental indexing of ships and coastal zones etc.,] along entire Indian coast for the various programmes of MoES and will be a National facility for ocean research. These ships are versatile ocean observing platforms equipped with advanced scientific equipment and mechanical handling equipment for oceanic survey, observations and explorations.

Both SAGAR ANVESHIKA and SAGAR TARA vessels are equipped with more than 40 scientific equipment in its on board laboratories which will further the cause of scientific research in India to a large extent. The vessel also features a Drop Keel which houses the various transducers of scientific analysis equipment such as Multibeam Echosounder, ADCP, Sub Bottom Profiler etc. It is important to note that the Drop Keel was designed and manufactured by TWL and for the very first time in India. The vessel is equipped with a retractable Bow thruster along with its 2 nos. Main Engines and 3 nos. Diesel Generators which make it DP1 capable. The vessel has demonstrated very good sea keeping, stability and extremely low vibration levels during its various trials. These are all very important parameters to keep in check while building a Research Platform to ensure accuracy in readings of the various Scientific equipment fitted on board. The vessel shall now be deployed on various Scientific expeditions by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and is capable of accommodating 20 people including 10 scientists on board for15 days’ endurance. 

In the next few months SAGAR ANVESHIKA will undergo outfitting of accommodation areas as well fitment of scientific instruments in the laboratories. TWL aims to deliver the vessel to NIOT by December 2019 again almost 3 months ahead of schedule.

The launch ceremony today, took place at 2 pm in the afternoon, when the draft was ideal for the vessel to be floated in the Ganges. From a key player in the railways, urban transport and defence sectors in wagon manufacturing, TWL has transformed into a diversified multinational, making coaches for local trains, metro coaches, passenger trains and shipbuilding apart from special projects for India’s defence establishment. Titagarh Wagons is the only Indian Company to have access to technology for manufacturing Metro Coaches through its wholly owned subsidiary Titagarh Firema S.p.A in Italy.

Dr. D Rajasekhar, Project Director, VMC, National Institute of Ocean Technology, stated,” We are extremely happy by the sense of professionalism of Titagarh Wagons. I would like to congratulate the team of designers, engineers, technicians, quality controllers and the members of the overseeing team for their tireless efforts in successfully achieving this momentous milestone. These vessels are versatile ocean observing platforms equipped with advanced scientific equipment and mechanical handling equipment for oceanic survey, observations and explorations. It is rare to see a private shipyard deliver such complex platforms ahead of schedule and with great quality and finish.”

Titagarh Wagons has already obtained new orders from Government of West Bengal for building small vessels and has participated in various tenders. These orders are likely to be from Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Inland Waterways Authority of India, Shipping Corporation of India. Publicity : Perfect Relations. Photography : Biswajit Saha.