The Indian Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal for acquisition of a new Research Vessel by Geological Survey of India for seabed survey and exploration for non living resources etc, as a replacement of RV Samudra Manthan at a revised cost estimate of INR 549.50 crore.

This tailor made new multi disciplinary research vessel fitted with state of the art equipment is meant for undertaking geological, geophysical and geo-chemical mapping of the seabed.

The data generated, will be useful for creating and updating the national database which will be useful for undertaking research in the fields of earth science, oceanography and offshore mineral resources and exploitation of mineral resources embedded under the sea.