Adequate safety measures taken to protect reactors: Kakodkar

Mumbai, Nov 17 (UNI) Atomic energy commission chairman Anil Kakodkar today asserted that adequate safety measures had been taken to protect Nuclear reactors from any disaster, be it man-made or natural.

Talking to mediapersons here after inaugurating a conference on ''Topical issues in nuclear installation safety: Ensuring safety for sustainable nuclear development,'' Dr Kakodkar said all necessary care had been taken to avoid any threat to the reactors.

With the nuclear deal coming into force, the three phase nuclear programme of India will be in full swing, he said adding that the country is getting more international cooperation at present and it is also in need of power.

However, he expressed confidence of achieving the target of generating 20,000 MW power by 2020.

''By 2011, 7280 MW power would be produced with the reactors functioning and by 2020, the target of generating 20,000 MW or more power would be achieved'', he said.

Speaking on the ongoing global financial turmoil, he said there would not be any direct impact on the country due to recession.

Earlier, during the inaugural address of the five-day conference, Dr Kakodkar said ''There has been a paradigm shift in technology, which is posing a challenge before the country, however, India is ready to take up this challenge and scientists are working on it.'' He said this was the birth centenary year of the great scientist Dr Homi Bhabha, apart from the silver jubilee year of Atomic Energy regulatory board and hence the government took opportunity to host the conference, which is being attended by 269 Indians and 86 foreigners.

Dr Kakodkar also inaugurated an exhibition on the occasion.

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