'Centre committed to making Andhra Pradesh a scientifically advanced state'

NELLORE: Union Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan today assured Centre's support to make Andhra Pradesh "most scientifically and technologically advanced state."
"I can assure on behalf of Centre that we are committed to make the state of (Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu) one of the most scientifically and technologically advanced," he said.

In his address after laying the foundation stone for a proposed ocean research centre at Pamanji and Naggaru villages in this district, he hailed Naidu as a "man with a vision".

Naidu had demonstrated his interest in technology in his earlier term as chief minister, Vardhan said.

On the proposed research facility being set up by National Institute of Ocean Technology, he said steps will be taken to make this one of the best ocean research centres in the country.

"We will have the best scientists collaborating from all over the country and all our research labs of ocean technology working here to train students, researchers and a lot of activities will be done," he said.

Vardhan laid the foundation stone in the presence of Chandrababu Naidu and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkiah Naidu.

The proposed centre will come up over 150 acres of land and will consist, among others, offshore numerical testing facility, testing facilities for coastal and environmental engineering, marine sensor system, ocean electronics and deep-sea technologies.

A nearby training centre will cater to software development for ocean data analysis and provide training to students.

"This proposed world class research facility would enable to explore and understand the ocean better and the facility will be on par with standards of international ocean research institutes," NIOT said.

Later speaking to reporters on the earthquake in Nepal today, Vardhan said it was unfortunate.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was personally supervising things and help mission has been flown to Nepal, he said. PTI SA BN SRY 04251834 NNNN Learn journalism at Indias largest media house - The Times of India Group. Visit www.tcms.in for details. Last date April 30, 2015.