In principle nod for eight more nuke power plants: Kakodkar

Mumbai, Oct 30 (UNI) Atomic Energy Commission chairman Dr Anil Kakodkar today informed that the government has recently accorded ''in principle'' approval for constructing eight more nuclear power plants in the country.

As of now, there are sixteen operating nuclear power plants while seven more are under construction, Dr Kakodkar informed while addressing a large gathering of scientists, engineers, technicians and Department of Atomic Energy staff members on the occasion of the Founder's Day, marking the 97th birth anniversary of late Dr Homi Bhabha.

While informing about the government's recent ''in principle'' approval for eight more units, Dr Kakodkar noted that, of late, there has been a greater realisation of the importance of nuclear energy as perhaps the only viable solution to sustainable development without threatening the global environment.

''Dr Bhabha had a dream and a road map to convert that dream into reality. We have made substantial progress on that path,'' Dr Kakodkar said. ''We are now at a stage where we can confidently move forward more rapidly on our own on the chosen path, which is unique, and, in the process, not only address the problem before our nation with appropriate and robust solutions but also move forward in areas not covered by anyone else earlier,'' he added.

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) director Dr S Banerjee, speaking on the occasion, outlined the various activities and achievements of BARC.

He informed that BARC had made significant achievements in the field of Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWR) and a critical facility was being built at Trombay for validation of AHWR physics design.

While pointing out that the country has received international acclaim as an advanced nation in nuclear science and technology, he said in the present scenario of our unprecedented economic growth, nuclear energy must play a very dominant role in providing long-term energy security to the country.

Prof V S Ramamurthy, Professor, DAE Homi Bhabha Chair, delivered a special Founder's Day address on ''Management of Intellectual Property Assets in Large Multidisciplinary R&D Institutions''. The DAE Awards for the year 2005 were also distributed at the hands of Dr Kakodkar on the occasion.

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