University of Mumbai and INCOIS to establish coastal research centre
The partnership aims to improve disaster preparedness and ocean science along the 720-km Maharashtra coastline.
The University of Mumbai and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday to create a new research centre. According to Urban Acres, the collaboration intends to address coastal safety challenges across Maharashtra's 720-km coastline through scientific research and information services.
The proposed centre will focus on studying tsunamis, sea-level changes, storm surges, and high waves. It aims to strengthen how communities and authorities prepare for such hazards and improve response mechanisms. The initiative will also look into sustainable marine resource management and the Blue Economy.
University of Mumbai Vice-chancellor Ravindra Kulkarni identified Mumbai as one of the areas that could benefit from the partnership. Other locations named as beneficiaries include Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Vengurla.
The partnership combines the academic research capacity of the university with the ocean information expertise of INCOIS. The two institutions plan to work on joint research and development projects and marine-based technologies.
While the agreement establishes a framework for cooperation, the specific funding, implementation timeline, and operating structure of the centre have not been detailed. The project seeks to link marine science with coastal governance to support decision-making and disaster preparedness.