India currently has three research base stations in the Antarctic polar region Bharati, Maitri and Dakshin Gangotri. PRV not only conducts research and logistics, but can also serve as a platform for scientists to conduct research in the ocean realm. India aims to have its first Polar Research Vessel (PRV) in the next five years to maintain its bases in Antarctica, Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju said recently.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, he said that the proposal regarding the ship is expected to be approved by the Cabinet during the current financial year.
He noted that in 2014, the government sanctioned ₹1,051 crore for acquiring the vessel. A tender was issued for the same. The government later abandoned the project because the company that was awarded the contract to build the ship set certain conditions that were not part of the tender process “However, further efforts have been initiated and we are now ready with a proposal to be submitted to the EFC (Expenditure Finance Committee),” Mr Rijiju said.
The cost of the vessel is now estimated at ₹2,600 crore, he noted. “Hopefully in this financial year we should be ready to propose this estimate and move it to the cabinet. In the next five years we should be ready with the ship,” stated Mr Rijiju.
He noted that the government is negotiating with other countries that have experience in producing such ships.
However, Mr. Rijiju noted that the government would like to manufacture the ship in the country itself. “Hopefully in the next five years we should be able to build a ship, hopefully in India,” he said. India currently has three research base stations in the Antarctic polar region – Bharati, Maitri and Dakshin Gangotri.
Kiren Rijiju said the country needs icebreakers to have round-the-clock access to research stations, which are required for various reasons, especially to better understand climate change and other research matters.
PRV not only conducts research and logistics in the polar region, but can also serve as a research platform for scientists to conduct research in the oceanic realm, including the Southern Ocean.
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