India to build Thorium reactor: Scientist

Bangalore, Aug 28: Work on the first ever thorium based nuclear power reactor, aimed to tap the abundant Thorium deposits in the country will commence next year, according to an eminent nuclear scientist.

Dr M R Srinivasan, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), delivering a lecture on the Indo-US Nuclear Agreement here last night said a 300 MW plant was in the offing. The country could use rich Thorium resources to harness power and overcome the power shortage, he added Emphasising that the utilisation of Thorium takes time, Dr Srinivasan, who was instrumental in the development and design of over 16 Nuclear reactors in the country said production of nuclear resources was limited and also locked with opposition from the locals in the country. He opined that exploitation of Thorium resources had opened a new vista to find solution to the country's power problems.

UNI