India to build nuclear reactor under ITER

New Delhi, Aug 23: India has joined the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project having a fiscal involvement of Rs 2,500 crore over a ten-year period in the form of supply of high-tech equipment by Indian industries, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Answering a question of Mr C Perumal, Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan said in a written reply that the government had approved constitution of an empowered Board by the Governing Council of Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar, with sufficient powers for effective implementation of the project within the framework of the agreement, signed among the parties to ITER and ITER International Organisation within the sanctioned cost of the project.

He replied in the affirmative to a question if the Government had decided to commence two nuclear power projects in Gujarat and Rajasthan. It had accorded 'in-principle' approval for setting up 2x700 mw indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan and Kakrapar in Gujarat during the XI Plan. It had also given in-principle approval for develping of Jaitapur site in Maharashtra for setting up a nuclear power plant, he said.

To a question of Mr B Janardhana Poojari, Mr Chavan said titanium depositis were identified in the coastal streches of Kerala, expecially at Chavara and Kayamkulam, Arattuphuzha-Thrikkunnapuzha- Thotapally area. The estimated titanium resources of Kerala (Ilmenite, Leucoxene and Rutile) is estimated as 114.28 MT.

Asked if the US aircraft manufacturer Boeing Corporation had expressed interest in entering into a long term purchase arrangement for titanium from India, the minister said the firm was not interested in mining or processing titanium but would assure purchase and encourage technology tie-ups for setting up a joint venture for mining and processing of titanium in India.

Asked if Russian firm Rosoboronexport had proposed to take up exploitation of titanium in Kerala, the minister said the firm had signed an MoU with the state government to make use of Ilmenite resoruces for manufacturing titanium sponge and other value added products. A Joint Working Group was formed to prepare techno-economic feasibility report.

UNI