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Nuclear Power :
Rajiv's Vision
By M B
RATNANNAVAR
 THE
GROWTH of nuclear power as it stands today would not have been
achieved but for the whole hearted support the department of atomic
energy’s Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) received from
the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The idea of multi stations at
one site was pursued by the then chairman of Atomic Energy Commission
(AEC) Dr. M R Srinivasan with Rajiv Gandhi. During his tenure about
eight sites were cleared at one go by the cabinet committee. They were
– Tarapur 3 & 4, Rajasthan 3,4,5 & 6, Kaiga 3 & 4.. At that time the
site selection committee had recommended Jaitapur, which was earmarked
for locating a nuclear power station with French participation. On
return from the US after attending a conference and on his way to Ooty,
Dr Srinivasan, was in Mumbai recently.
 Reminiscing
the past, Dr. Srinivasan said, “Vincent George, secretary to Rajiv
Gandhi, made my appointment possible to meet up with Rajiv Gandhi, in
spite of the latter’s hectic schedule. Appointment was to meet Rajiv
Gandhi during his special flight from New Delhi to Mumbai. While a
number of people were in that flight, the then Defence Minister, K C
Pant had long discussions. When there were just 20 minutes left for
landing at Mumbai, Rajiv Gandhi was putting on his bullet proof
jacket, I was called to meet him. The short discussion and the grasp
Rajiv Gandhi had on the benefits of nuclear power, confirmed his
positive support to the nuclear power sector. But later during the
tenure of Narasimha Rao, though the liberation, privatisation and
globalisation process started, the allocation of funds to the nuclear
power sector got reduced and there was slow down in the nuclear
industry. Many states had shown interest to have nuclear power
stations and offered sites. Andhra Pradesh, though had offered
Nagarjunsagar earlier; it was perhaps Narasimha Rao, taking
note of the opposition from environmentalists in the state who
appeared reluctant to clear the site for Andhra Pradesh. This
Nagarjunasagar site was also recommended by the power expert N Tata
Rao, the Chairman of APSEB at that time. Even today, there is no site
insight for a nuclear power station in Andhra Pradesh. Rajiv Gandhi
was interested that nuclear power should be developed indigenously
with self reliance. At the same time he was also supportive of
cooperation with other countries. That is how the negotiations
concluded for Russian collaboration and two reactors of 1000 MWe each
which are coming up at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. Even the French
wanted to cooperate in setting up nuclear power plants at Jaitapur. At
that time France had not signed the NPT. In early 1990, India did not
clinch the matter with France, later France signed the NPT. And India
lost the opportunity to collaborate with France missing the broader
picture.” “Some people believe in self-reliance in a dogmatic manner.
We should be self-reliant but also cooperate with friendly countries;
that is be pragmatic and realistic,” revealed Dr Srinivasan.
 The
fact that there is a mismatch between the fuel requirement of NPCIL’s
reactors and the fuel supplied to it has resulted in declining
profits. It is relevant to mention here that one visionary plans and a
successor stops it. When so many sites were cleared, for construction
of PHWRs, the department of atomic energy planned opening up of new
sites for mining uranium. Even the Atomic Minerals Division prepared
itself to meet the targets of exploring uranium at a number of new
sites. Later when the heads changed, the decisions too were changed.
When there was not much budget support for the nuclear power sector, a
decision to close some mines on which work had commenced was taken
without realizing its impact. It was wisdom of the present chairman
that he took realistic and optimistic view and ordered to open up the
closed mines and start new ones. If the mines were not closed in the
1990’s, perhaps, the mismatch that is affecting the operation of
nuclear power stations today would not have arisen
 According
to S.K. Jain, CMD of NPCIL, the growing mismatch between NPCIL’s
demand and supply may adversely affect the nuclear energy sector’s
growth plans. The closed mines becoming operational and new ones being
opened up may take some time to make up the fuel requirement.
Additional options like imports have to be resorted to if the target
set by DAE for 2020 or 2025 has to be achieved.
As for the nuclear
deal with the US, again the opportunity is being missed. It is a well
known fact that shortage of power is hampering the growth and progress
of industries. A number of small scale industries have closed down in
various industrial estates. If the present government is really
concerned with the common man in India, it should accord priority and
focus on providing uninterrupted power supply to industries.
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