Pachauri advocates nuke power as future option

Mumbai, Aug 25 (UNI) Nobel Laureate and Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, R K Pachuri, today strongly advocated for nuclear power as a future option to meet the energy demand, besides arresting noxious emissions and checking the climate change.

Talking to newspersons on the sidelines of the Graduation Ceremony at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre here, he expressed hope that the 45-member Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) came to a unanimous agreement on clean exemptions sought by India and pave the way for proliferation of the nuclear power plants.

Dr Pachauri, who had once opposed the nuclear power plans, said he changed his mind five years ago after realising that India had mastered the technology of not only building nuclear reactors, but also running them safely with adequate safeguards.

He said proper checks and balances should be in place while pursuing the nuclear route.

When asked about the hazards involved in uranium mining, he said even in coal mining there were hazards.

''India has a proven track record for managing nuclear resources and safety as well,'' he said, adding the country did not also lag behind in technical skills and had taken a responsible stand on non-proliferation.

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