Polar Research Vessel (PRV), suitable for unassisted operations worldwide, including the Arctic and Antarctic areas. The vessel can accomplish multiple missions, including oceanography, hydrography, marine biology, geology, and recovery operations, and have a better understanding of climate change and other research matters.
Kiren Rijiju, the Union Earth Sciences Minister, hopes to have India’s first Polar Research Vessel in the next five years to maintain the research matters in Antarctica. The PRV plays an important role in scientific activities. Rijiju said at the Rajya Sabha that a proposal for the polar research vessel is expected to be sent for approval from the Cabinet during the current financial year.
The Indian government first proposed the making of a PRV back in 2014. The Cabinet had approved a budget of Rs 1,051 crore for the vessel, and a tender was floated to select the company to build it. However, due to some unforeseen conditions raised by the company for the project which turned away the original tender terms, the endeavour was initially abandoned.
Rijiju stated that a proposal is now poised to be presented to the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC). Rijiju expressed optimism, stating, “I am hopeful that in this financial year, we should be ready to propose this estimate and move in the Cabinet. In the next five years, we should be ready with the ship.” The estimated cost for the current PRV stands at Rs. 2,600 crore which includes the extended part of the project.
Currently, there are 70 research stations scattered across Antarctica, which are run by 32 countries. There are no such human habitats near the polar region which helps the research to become a treat. Due to its unique geographical location, these stations have been a huge success for research, especially in astrophysics, astronomy, climate issues, and environmental concern-related studies.
India’s own PRV will help to become more independent and will reduce the dependency on foreign charter vessels for any supplies and scientific needs. The PRV will play a major role in supporting research activities in both Antarctica and the Arctic regions. Rijiju said that the government would like to manufacture the ship in the country itself and that the country needs ice breaker ships to have continuous access to the research stations which are needed during different seasons. He also added that a PRV not only performs research and logistics in the polar region but can also serve as a research platform for scientists to undertake research in the ocean realm, including the Southern Ocean.