India’s last two reactors under IAEA watch

New Delhi, December 28

India will complete the process of placing its civilian reactors under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards in the next two days, thereby paving the way for having imported fuel for its nuclear power reactors.

Sources said the last lot of the two reactors — units 1 and 2 of the Narora Atomic Power Station in Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh — will go under safeguards of the international atomic energy body in the next two days and necessary paper work is under process.

Until now 20 facilities have gone under IAEA safeguards. This includes unit 1 and 2 of Tarapur Atomic Power Station, units 1 to 6 of Rajasthan Atomic Power Station, units 1 and 2 of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, units 1 and 2 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station. These reactors are eligible for using imported uranium India is procuring from various nations.

Besides, Nuclear Material Store, Away from Reactor Fuel Storage Facility, both at Tarapur; Uranium Oxide Plant, Ceramic Fuel Fabrication Plant, Enriched Uranium Fuel, Enriched Uranium Oxide Plant, Enriched Fuel Fabrication Plant and the Gadolinia Facility — all at the Nuclear Fuel Complex in Hyderabad — have been placed under the IAEA safeguards. — PTI