Twitter
Advertisement

India’s nuclear power projects need transparency: IAEA director-general

He was speaking to the media after inaugurating the 21st Annual Conference of Indian Nuclear Society (INS) on ‘Impact of Radiation Technology on Human Health & Environment,’ at the BARC premises in Trombay.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

“While India has a good regulatory body, there is need for more transparency,” advised director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano when asked about his reaction to massive protests against the development of the world’s largest nuclear power hub at Jaitapur, Mahahrashtra.

He was speaking to the media after inaugurating the 21st Annual Conference of Indian Nuclear Society (INS) on ‘Impact of Radiation Technology on Human Health & Environment,’ at the BARC premises in Trombay.

According to him India is an established nuclear power with great contributions to nuclear applications in fields like medicine and agriculture. He felt, “The association of the country with IAEA is likely to increase in the area of decommissioning in the coming years as many older installations in India will require extensive refurbishment or decommissioning.”

Emphasising the importance of nuclear power as source of stable and clean energy he pointed out how more and more countries were looking at this option for their power needs. “As compared to 29 until a few years ago, today there are 60 countries which already have nuclear power,” he said and added, “we at the IAEA, expect between 10 and 25 new countries to bring their first nuclear power plants on-line by 2030.”

He also pointed how the growth in this sector is being driven primarily by Asia. “Of the 61 reactors now under construction, 39 are in Asia.” He said concerns over depleting fossil fuel reserves and climate change are accelerating this process.

Welcoming the huge interest in nuclear power in the developing world he said, “Access to nuclear power should not be the sole prerogative of the developed countries ,” but added, “with this right to equal access for peaceful purposes, these nations also have the same responsibility to ensure the highest safety standards and to prevent nuclear materials from falling into the hands of terrorists.”

Amano presented the INS’ Homi Bhabha Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr Anil Kakodkar, former Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement