The Finance Ministry has granted in-principle approval for the construction of Maitri II, India's newest research station in eastern Antarctica, marking a significant step in upgrading the country's polar research infrastructure. This decision, announced on October 4, 2025, comes as the existing Maitri station, operational since 1989, has outlived its original design life and requires replacement to support ongoing scientific expeditions amid growing global interest in Antarctic studies for climate insights and resource exploration.
What is Maitri II and Why is India Building a New Research Station in Antarctica?
Overview of the Project: Maitri II is India's planned state-of-the-art research station in eastern Antarctica, designed to replace the aging Maitri station that has been in use since 1989. This new facility aims to provide a modern, sustainable base for scientific research, addressing the limitations of the old structure such as outdated waste management and limited lifespan, while enhancing India's capacity to conduct year-round studies in one of the world's most extreme environments.
Reasons for Replacement: The original Maitri station was built with a design life of just 10 years but has operated for over three decades, leading to operational challenges. Building Maitri II allows India to maintain a strong presence in Antarctica for gathering unique data on climate change, ice dynamics, and biodiversity, which are crucial for global environmental understanding and national scientific advancement.
Location Details: Situated near the Schirmacher Oasis, a 20 km-long ice-free landmass surrounded by ice sheets and shelves, Maitri II will be about 100 km from the Antarctic shore at an elevation of around 50 meters above sea level. This strategic spot offers access to diverse terrains for research, including inland ice and coastal areas, making it ideal for multidisciplinary studies.
What is the Historical Background of India's Antarctic Program?
Inception and Early Expeditions: India began its Antarctic research in the early 1980s with the first expedition in 1981, establishing Dakshin Gangotri as its initial base in 1983, which operated briefly before being decommissioned due to ice submersion. This marked India's entry into polar science, driven by the need to study global climate patterns and secure a voice in international Antarctic governance.
Evolution of Research Bases: Following Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri was set up in 1989 as a permanent inland station, followed by Bharati in 2012 on the Larsemann Hills, about 3,000 km away from Maitri. These bases have supported over 40 expeditions, involving scientists from various fields, and have contributed to India's status as a consultative member of the Antarctic Treaty since 1983.
Key Milestones: India's program has grown from basic exploration to advanced research, including the passage of the Indian Antarctic Act in 2022 to regulate activities and protect the environment. Recent ministerial visits, like that of Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju in 2023, have assessed sites and underscored the program's role in national self-reliance under initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat.
What are the Design Features and Sustainability Aspects of Maitri II?
Green Infrastructure: Maitri II is envisioned as an eco-friendly base, incorporating renewable energy sources such as solar power for summer expeditions and wind energy to tap into Antarctica's powerful winds, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing carbon emissions in this pristine region.
Advanced Technological Integration: The station will include automated instruments that record and transmit data like atmospheric conditions, seismic activity, and glacial changes back to India in real-time, enabling continuous monitoring even without on-site personnel and supporting remote research during harsh winters.
Living and Operational Upgrades: Unlike the older Maitri, which has basic facilities like regulated power, heating, and labs for 25-40 people, Maitri II will offer enhanced amenities including improved sanitation, cold storage, and modular designs for better comfort, ensuring scientists can focus on research amid temperatures dropping to -89°C and winds up to 300 km/h.
What are the Scientific Objectives and Importance of Antarctic Research for India?
Core Research Areas: Antarctic studies provide insights into global phenomena like sea-level rise, ozone depletion, and biodiversity, with Indian scientists focusing on meteorology for weather prediction, glaciology for understanding ice melt impacts on monsoons, and biology for discovering extremophiles that could aid biotechnology.
Global and National Relevance: Antarctica holds 75% of Earth's freshwater in its ice sheets, formed 25 million years ago, and its data helps model climate change effects on India, such as rising Himalayan glaciers or coastal flooding. As the fifth-largest continent spanning 14 million sq km, it offers unexplored terrains for resource mapping, including potential minerals, while India's involvement strengthens its geopolitical stance in polar affairs.
Contribution to International Science: Through the Antarctic Treaty System, signed by India in 1983, the program promotes peaceful, collaborative research, banning military activities and mining until 2048, and positions India among 29 consultative nations influencing decisions on environmental protection and sustainable exploration.
What are the Challenges in Constructing and Operating Maitri II?
Logistical Hurdles: Building in Antarctica involves shipping all materials from India to Cape Town, then to unloading sites like the Indian Barrier 120 km from the base, using prefabricated components that withstand extreme weather, with construction possible only during the short summer window to avoid blizzards and darkness.
Environmental Considerations: Rigorous environmental assessments are required under the Antarctic Treaty to minimize impacts on fragile ecosystems, including wildlife like penguins and seals, with designs emphasizing low ecological footprints to prevent pollution or habitat disruption in this dry, windy continent where annual precipitation is as low as 200 mm.
Timeline and Phases: The project spans 18 months for contracts and surveys, another 18 for material procurement and transport, and final assembly by 2029, involving wind-tunneling tests and ice road creation, all while balancing costs and international compliance for safe, efficient operations.
What is the Antarctic Treaty and India's Role in It?
Basics of the Treaty: Signed in 1959 and effective from 1961, the Antarctic Treaty designates the continent for peaceful scientific purposes, prohibiting nuclear tests, waste dumping, and territorial claims, with 54 signatories committing to free exchange of research findings and environmental stewardship.
India's Participation: India joined as a consultative member in 1983 after demonstrating substantial research, allowing voting rights on policies, and has hosted Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM) to advocate for regulated tourism and climate-focused studies, aligning with global efforts to preserve Antarctica's unique status.
Future Implications: With Maitri II, India can expand its contributions to treaty objectives, such as monitoring ozone holes discovered in 1985 or studying ancient ice cores for historical climate data, enhancing its influence in discussions on emerging issues like bioprospecting and geopolitical interests from nations like China and Russia.
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