India, Oct. 3 -- The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has dispatched an air cargo flight from Goa to send supplies via Cape Town to the country's Antarctic mission, the institute said on Friday.

The first flight carrying 18 tonnes of essential supplies, including scientific equipment, medicines, and annual provisions for Indian research stations in the Antarctic, took off from Goa's Mopa airport on October 2.

The scientific research base had been restocked via ship so far.

"This pioneering shipment, routed via the gateway city of Cape Town, South Africa, marks a significant step in enhancing logistical efficiency for India's polar expeditions. The cargo will support ongoing scientific research in glaciology, oceanog...