New Delhi: In the diamond jubilee year of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), a 'hall of nuclear power' would be set up in the capital with an aim to dispel "misgivings" related to atomic energy as well as to spread awareness about it.
Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh said the 'hall of nuclear power' will come up at the National Science Centre in Pragati Maidan.
On apprehensions from certain quarters over Kudankulam and Jaitapur nuclear projects, Singh said that there were ample studies to prove that there were "no visible adverse outcome" of atomic energy. "In 60 years none of our scientists have suffered from cancer," he said in a lighter note.
"There are concerns and we need to dispel those. That is why we are undertaking such steps towards creating awareness," the Minister added.
India committed to peaceful use of nuclear capabilities
Responding to a question on former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's comment that the country did not build nukes "to fire on Shab-e-Barat", Singh said DAE would rather promote its programmes "for peaceful social and economic applications."
"We have actually lived up with the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. He always said that non-violence was not a virtue of the weak. You have all the arms and ammunition at your disposal...you have all the strength...to carry out...(operations) but still you choose not to do so because of your faith in non-violence," Singh said.
"We have today one of the best atomic energy and nuclear capabilities in the world. But in spite of that, I reiterate that we are committed to use it for peaceful services," Singh added.
On Jaitapur plant, R K Sinha, Secretary in Department of Atomic Energy, said, "The pre-engineering agreement has been signed between Areva and NPCIL. Now Areva would provide a document for the plant as per our requirements. The commercial viability aspects are being looked into."
He also said that the second unit of the Kudankulam project was "close to commissioning". Unit-I had commenced commercial operations on December 31 last year.
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