The Union Earth Sciences Minister, Kiren Rijiju, declared that India is trying to launch its first-ever Polar Research Vessel (PRV) within the next five years. The primary objective behind this ambitious initiative is to ensure the long-term sustenance of India’s research bases in Antarctica and bolster its scientific endeavors in the polar region.
During a session in the Rajya Sabha, Minister Rijiju revealed that a proposal regarding the Polar Research Vessel awaits Cabinet approval in the ongoing financial year. The project had seen previous setbacks in 2014 when the Cabinet had initially sanctioned Rs 1,051 crore for its procurement. However, the venture was halted because the shipbuilding contractor imposed additional conditions not originally in the tender process.
Minister Rijiju expressed optimism, stating that a fresh endeavor has been undertaken, and the government now has a well-prepared proposal ready for submission to the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC). The current estimated cost of the vessel stands at Rs 2,600 crore, and Rijiju is hopeful that approval from the Cabinet will be obtained within this financial year, enabling the project to move forward.
The importance of icebreaker ships like the PRV cannot be overstated, as they play a vital role in providing continuous access to India’s research base stations in the polar region. These ships are crucial in supporting various aspects of scientific research, especially in studying climate change and other significant research activities. Once operational, the PRV will conduct research and logistics in polar regions and serve as a research platform for scientists to study the ocean, including the Southern Ocean.
Minister Rijiju revealed that the government is currently engaged in discussions with countries possessing expertise in constructing such specialized vessels. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the government prefers to manufacture the ship domestically within India. The minister expressed confidence that India could construct the vessel independently within the next five years, further enhancing the country’s scientific capabilities in the polar regions.
At present, India maintains three research base stations in the polar region. With the PRV’s deployment, India’s scientific community aims to gain a deeper understanding of climate change and conduct other crucial research activities unimpeded in the challenging polar environment. The launch of the Polar Research Vessel marks a significant stride in India’s scientific pursuits. It showcases the nation’s commitment to environmental research and its contribution to global scientific efforts in understanding our planet’s polar regions.
