Cochin University of Science and Technology radar in Make in India' programme

KOCHI: The indigenously developed Stratosphere-Tropo-sphere (ST) Radar in Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat)  which has already been successful in weather predictions, has  been included in the Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ programme, making it a crowning achievement for the university. A decision to this effect was taken recently by NITI Aayog at a meeting in New Delhi, after an inspection of the facility by a team led by its member Dr. V. K. Saraswat.

The secretary of Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology (DST), had initiated three projects to develop ST Radars as part of indigenous technology development efforts in advanced scientific research in India. In the process, one Wind Profiler Radar at 205 MHz frequency of operation popularly known as ST Radar was developed and tested at Kochi for the first time in the world. The CUSAT ST Radar project is unique in terms of time resolution and height coverage (up to 20 km) to scientifically observe various climatic issues centered at Kochi. ‘Make in India’ facilitates investment, fosters innovation, enhances skill development, protects intellectual property and builds best in class manufacturing infrastructure in the country.

The initiative hopes to boost the technological skill enhancement in India, under the guidance of the Government of India. The New Delhi meeting was attended by high level officials comprising secretary of SERB, representatives of Union Secretaries to DST, ministry of earth Sciences, ISRO, Indian Air Force and Dept. of Space, in addition to the CUSAT team comprising Dr K. Mohankumar  (Project Director), Prof. P. Mohanan, Dr M. G. Manoj and Mr Titu K. Samson. Dr Mohan Kumar said that the inclusion of the ST Radar in the ’Make in India’ Programme will give a fillip to scientific research field.