India to shrink zones around nuclear reactors to free up land, sources say
Key takeaways
- At present, all nuclear reactors in India have a minimum buffer of about 1 km (0.62 miles) around reactors where no habitation or economic activity is allowed, a provision meant to keep radiation risks at a distance.
- India’s atomic energy regulator and the Department of Atomic Energy have approved an “in principle” plan to reduce these buffers, the three officials said.
- The changes are likely to be included in final rules that are due to be published in the next couple of months after the country opened its nuclear generation sector to private and foreign players last year.
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Add ARY News on Google AAResize India plans to reduce the size of exclusion zones around nuclear plants to free up significant amounts of land for reactor expansions, three officials familiar with the matter said, in a move to attract private investment that is likely to face backlash from opposition parties and the public.
At present, all nuclear reactors in India have a minimum buffer of about 1 km (0.62 miles) around reactors where no habitation or economic activity is allowed, a provision meant to keep radiation risks at a distance.
India’s atomic energy regulator and the Department of Atomic Energy have approved an “in principle” plan to reduce these buffers, the three officials said. They requested anonymity because they are not authorised to speak to the media.