Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 18 : Zero customs duty on the import of goods required for nuclear power projects is set to accelerate the pace of nuclear energy development in the country while also bringing down the overall project cost and per-unit cost of electricity, making such projects more viable, particularly those involving foreign cooperation with substantial import content.
Responding in the Lok Sabha to MPs Ramesh Awasthi and Ravi Kishan, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh provided details of the Government’s measures in the nuclear energy sector.
The Minister stated that the exemption of customs duty on nuclear fuels and reactor components up to the year 2035 will contribute to reducing both project costs and electricity generation costs, thereby improving the economic viability of nuclear power projects.
On strengthening the domestic supply chain for the ten newly approved 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units, the Minister informed that Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has taken several steps. These include placing bulk orders to ensure continuity, expanding the vendor base with necessary support, promoting indigenous equipment for import substitution, reserving certain equipment for class-1 local suppliers, and organising vendor meets with a focus on encouraging MSMEs and giving them preference in bids.
Regarding enhanced funding for research and development at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the Minister said that the increased allocation is being utilised for multidisciplinary technology development aimed at achieving self-reliance. The focus areas include development of new research reactors, isotope production facilities especially for cancer treatment, advanced reactor technologies including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and hydrogen production, accelerator technologies, laser-based applications, and advanced materials and manufacturing technologies.
The Minister further informed that, at present, there is no proposal to integrate the PM Gati Shakti framework with the construction and logistics of upcoming nuclear parks in coastal States.
These measures , along with the recent SHANTI Act, make the nuclear sector more enabling for the private sector, including the foreign collaborators. India hopes to scale up its nuclear power generation capacity over three times in the next one decade. This will benefit our energy needs as well as the country’s defence preparedness.
Opening up nuclear medicine research to the private sector will boost the health sector , particularly in drug research for cancers etc.
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