India Approves Maitri II Antarctic Research Station

India is set to expand its scientific presence in Antarctica with the approval of Maitri II, a new research station planned for eastern Antarctica. The Finance Ministry has sanctioned a budget of approximately ₹2,000 crore for this project. The station aims to be operational by January 2029 and will be India’s fourth facility on the continent. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), will lead the project.

Background and Existing Indian Antarctic Bases

India’s Antarctic research began in the early 1980s. The first base, Dakshin Gangotri, operated briefly. Maitri, established in 1989, and Bharati, operational since 2012, currently support scientific missions. Maitri is located in the Schirmacher Oasis of East Antarctica, an ice-free area surrounded by ice sheets. It accommodates 25 to 40 researchers and includes facilities such as laboratories, living quarters, and power supply systems.

Significance of Antarctica for Research

Antarctica is the world’s fifth-largest continent, mostly covered by ice sheets formed 25 million years ago. It holds 75% of Earth’s freshwater reserves and features extreme cold, dryness, and strong winds. The continent offers unique opportunities to study climate change, glaciology, atmospheric science, and biodiversity in extreme conditions.

Need for Maitri II

Maitri’s infrastructure is aging and has faced issues like waste management. Maitri II is planned as a larger, modern, and environmentally friendly station. It will incorporate renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. The new base will have improved living conditions and advanced automated instruments capable of remote data transmission, allowing periods of unmanned operation.

Planning and Construction Challenges

Site selection and terrain mapping have been underway since 2023. A German company won the design competition and will prepare a Detailed Project Report and environmental assessments. Construction will begin after environmental clearance. Building in Antarctica is complex due to extreme weather and ecological sensitivity. Materials must be prefabricated and shipped from India via South Africa. Construction can only occur during the brief summer months between October and March.

Timeline and Logistics

Preparatory work including contracting, surveys, and road construction will take around 18 months. Material procurement and transport will require another 18 months. The final phase involves assembling the station on site. The entire project aims for completion by January 2029. The sea voyage from South Africa to Antarctica can take one to three weeks depending on weather and route.