FBTR to PFBR, a Hanuman Jump, says French scientist

Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, July 18 (UNI) French Atomic Energy Vice President Georges Vendryes today lauded Indian nuclear scientists for their achievement in fast breeder technology and described as ''Hanuman Jump,'' India's progress from Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) to Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

Dr Vendryes, who was associated with the building of FBTR modelled on the lines of Rhapsodie Reactor in France, advised India to move forward 'with utmost circumspection,' taking into account the experience it attained in building and operating Fast Breeder Reactors.

Stating the construction of 500 MW PFBR, to be commissioned in 2010, was a daring challenge and bold one, he said ''moving straight from FBTR to PFBR is like a Hanuman jump.'' Suggesting India should 'resort to all kinds of advises and precautions and should not take any risks,' Dr Vendryes said ''you are not trying to break any Olympic record...if everything goes well, you will be acclaimed in a decade or so as a world champion in Fast Breeder Reactor Technology.'' MORE UNI GV/WS RL ND1820