India tapping all peaceful uses of nuclear technology: Jitendra Singh
17 Feb 2018
India is looking at all possible ways of peaceful utilisation of atomic energy and has diversified the use of nuclear technology across various fields, including electricity generation, agriculture and health sectors.
Speaking at a conference organised by the Department of Space and the Department of Atomic Energy, union minister of state (independent charge) of the ministry of development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, personnel, public grievances and pensions, atomic energy and space Jitendra Singh said very soon atomic energy will be the source of meeting energy needs of the country in a cost-effective manner.
He also said that Bhabha Kavach, a light weight bullet-proof jacket has been developed for security forces. He said that Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute in Guwahati is now an affiliate of the Tata Memorial Centre for Cancer, Mumbai. A tripartite MoU to this effect was signed on behalf of the North-Eastern Council (NEC), Department of Atomic Energy and Government of Assam.
Chairman and managing director of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), S K Sharma, said there has been a 50 per cent increase in nuclear power capacity addition from 4,780 MW in 2014 to 6,780 MW with the completion of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP1&2). He said 9 reactors are under construction which will further augment capacity by 6,700 MWe. On completion of projects under construction and sanctioned, capacity will reach 22,480 MW by 2031 – about 5 times the capacity of 4,780 MW in 2014, he added.
He said that there has been record generation of 14252 crore Units of commercial electricity generation (147090 million units, including infirm power) during 2014-15 to 2017-18 (up to January 2018). He also elaborated on contribution of atomic energy in the field of agriculture, waste management, health care technologies, development of radiopharmaceuticals and technology for bio-pesticide.
