Third Indian Antarctic research base station by 2008: scientists

By Staff
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Panaji, Apr 2 (UNI) A third permanent Indian Antarctic research base station to facilitate further scientific expeditions at par with several other advanced countries, is likely to be operational by the year 2008.

National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), which has so far undertaken 25 expeditions to the icy continent from its headquarters in Vasco-da-Gama city in Goa since inception, is giving finishing touches to the draft 'comprehensive environment evaluation' of the new station site.

The draft will be submitted in a month to the 'Antarctic Treaty Consultative Machinery' for rectification, with or without changes, in its Edinburgh (UK) meeting in June, a top source of NCAOR told UNI today.

''Construction of the new station, identified for location in the Larsemann Hills area or McLeod Island in its vicinity, 600 km east of the existing Maitri research station, is likely to begin next year,'' the source said.

It would take at least an year to complete the construction work before it is operational. The third base station is necessary with the second station Maitri, built in 1989 will be shortly outlive its utility. The first station Dakshin Gangotri, built in 1983 was abandoned following a blizzard hit.

The NCAOR simultaneously submits the draft 'design and cost' proposals of the third station to the Department of Ocean Development(DOD), Government of India, for approval. Guesstimates envisage an expenditure of Rs five crore for the new station.

A team of scientists of the NCAOR and allied research bodies, including the Geological Survey of India (GSI) had undertaken the survey of the eastern Antarctic for locating the third Indian station in 2004.

Significantly, a special expedition team of 23 scientists, which conducted detailed 'seabed topography and bathyumetric surveys' around Larsemann Hills region for 14 days during February-March last, had returned home yesterday on board the Russian research vessel Akademik Boris Petrov to a rousing reception at Mormugao Port.

The survey report eventually becomes a base map for the movement of vessels catering to the requirements of the third station, according to the special expedition team leader Dr M Sudhakar, who was previliged to lead a first pilot expedition to the Southern Ocean on board ocean research vessel Sagar Kanya in 2004.

The construction of the third permanent station for Indian Antarctic Expedition gains significance with the NCAIR celebrating the silver jubilee year of India's presence in Antarctic.

The bathymetric data would help plan construction of landing site or a suitable jetty for transportation of men and material from the vessel to the third station, sources added.

UNI BM KU SHR RK1315

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