Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates 'Sagar Bhavan' and 'Polar Bhavan' at NCPOR, Goa.

On May 20, 2025, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science & Technology, inaugurated 'Sagar Bhavan' and 'Polar Bhavan' at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Vasco da Gama, Goa.

      - The inauguration marked the celebration of NCPOR's Silver Jubilee, commemorating 25 years of scientific excellence. As part of the occasion, Dr. Jitendra Singh also unveiled a special documentary showcasing the institute's 25-year journey.

      - These newly inaugurated facilities are India’s first integrated centers dedicated to polar and ocean research, placing the country among a select group of nations with such advanced research infrastructure focused on polar science, oceanography, and climate studies.

      - The launch of Polar and Sagar Bhavans enhances India’s scientific and geopolitical presence in polar and ocean research. They strengthen national missions like the Blue Economy and Deep Ocean Mission. NCPOR now operates Indian research stations in Antarctica (Maitri & Bharati), Arctic (Himadri), and Himalayas (Himansh), and has expanded missions to Greenland, Canadian Arctic, and Central Arctic Ocean, positioning India as a key player in global polar science.

Main Point :-   (i) Polar Bhavan is the largest building at the NCPOR campus in Goa, covering 11,378 sq. m and built at a cost of Rs. 55 crore. It features advanced polar and ocean research labs, 55 residential rooms for scientists, a seminar hall, library, and canteen. It also houses Science On Sphere (SOS) and functions as India’s first Polar and Ocean Museum, offering immersive climate data visualizations.

      (ii) Built at a cost of Rs. 13 crore, Sagar Bhavan spans 1,772 sq. m and is equipped with two ice core laboratories maintaining -30°C, and +4°C storage for preserving biological and sediment samples. It includes 29 rooms and a Class 1000 metal-free clean room, vital for high-precision research on trace metals and isotopes crucial to environmental and oceanographic studies.

(iii) These new facilities support India’s climate change research at a time when 70% of global freshwater is stored in polar ice. Its rapid melting could increase sea levels, threatening India’s 1,000 km coastline. The infrastructure enables long-term data collection, monitoring, and forecasting, helping India respond effectively to climate threats and global environmental challenges.
About National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)