In a first for India, the Goa-based National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has successfully sent a direct air cargo flight from the state to Antarctica. This milestone marks a significant step in enhancing logistical efficiency for India’s polar expeditions.

The cargo flight, carrying 18 tonnes of essential supplies—including scientific equipment, medicines, and annual provisions for Indian research stations in Antarctica—took off from Manohar International Airport in Mopa, North Goa, on Thursday.

Dr. Thamban Meloth, director of NCPOR, officially flagged off the flight. The aircraft, an IL-76 operated by DROMLAN, is set to bolster the supply chain for India’s polar research missions.

NCPOR, operating under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the premier institution responsible for India’s research activities in the polar and Southern Ocean regions. According to Dr. Meloth, this direct route significantly strengthens India’s self-reliant polar logistics.

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