22 Aug (NucNet): India’s prime minister has said nuclear energy will be a "major locomotive" in driving the country’s development.
Manmohan Singh said yesterday he remained convinced that nuclear would play an "important role in our quest for a clean and environmentally friendly energy mix".
Speaking at the country’s Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics in Kolkata, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, Mr Singh added: "We are in the process of expanding our civil nuclear energy programme. Even as we do so, we have to ensure that the use of nuclear energy in India meets the highest safety standards. This is a matter on which there can be no compromise."
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, India has 20 nuclear power plant units in commercial operation and five units under construction.
Earlier this year, India’s government said it planned to create an "independent and autonomous" body, to be known as the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of India, to subsume the country’s existing regulator, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
India Announces Plans For New Regulatory Body (News in Brief No. 114, 9 May 2011)
Fast Breeder Programme ‘Remains A Priority’ For India (News in Brief No. 123, 23 May 2011)
