Chennai, Oct 28:
Fishermen from Tiruvallur district, including those from Pazhaverkadu, have been asked not to venture into the sea from 4 pm on October 30 until 6 am the following day as a precaution ahead of the launch of the GSLV-F18 rocket from Sriharikota.
The rocket is scheduled to carry the NVS-03 navigation satellite into space. The launch-related restriction has been imposed for safety reasons, and officials have advised fishing communities to follow the instructions.
The NVS-03 satellite is designed to strengthen India’s regional navigation system, NavIC, which provides positioning and timing information across India and up to around 1,500 km beyond its borders. The system is similar in purpose to the United States’ GPS.
The GSLV-F18 mission will use India’s GSLV Mark II launch vehicle, which is powered by an indigenously developed cryogenic engine. The launch had earlier been planned for a window between October 15 and 20 but was subsequently rescheduled for October 30, according to ISRO Chairman V Narayanan.
The restriction will cover fishermen in the Pazhaverkadu area and other parts of Tiruvallur district. Officials have urged fishing communities to comply with the temporary ban to ensure safety during the launch operation.