PFBR will make India world leader: Pranab

Kalpakkam, (Tamil Nadu), July 18 (UNI) Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said Nuclear Power Production from the 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), to be commissioned in 2010, will mark the beginning of an era of fast reactors and would make India the world leader.

Leading the nation in paying tributes to commemorate 20 years of successful operation of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) he said through the vast experience gained through the FBTR, the fast breeder reactor community in India would acquire the distinction of commissioning the 500 MW PFBR in 2010, which would again be a result of its totally indigenous efforts.

The entire nuclear fraternity in India was present at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) complex here in which the past and present nuclear scientists, including Placid Rodriguez, P K Iyengar and S S Bhoje and Atomic Energy Commission(AEC) Chairman and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy Dr Anil Kakodkar.

Mr Mukherjee said the FBTR, started with French collaboration in 1970, had to march on indigenous strengths after peaceful nuclear explosions in 1974 by India that saw France going back on its commitment of providing enriched uranium.

''The extensive experience gained with FBTR and the vast strength of Research and Development programmes at IGCAR combined with the Project Management expertise of BHAVINI, which is constructing the PFBR here, would lead to its success he said adding the country was marching towards realising the dreams of eminent scientist Dr Homi Bhabha and Dr Vikram Sarabhai.

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