(a) whether the Government is contemplating to emphasise on the need for new research in the
field of Atomic Energy in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the amount of funds proposed to be allocated by the Government during the Eleventh Five
Year Plan for this purpose?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE(SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)
a) & b) Yes, Sir. Considering the need for new research in the atomic energy, Department of
Atomic Energy is emphasizing on the following thrust areas of R&D during the XI Plan:
# Intensifying of Uranium exploration including development of aerial electromagnetic survey
capability
# R&D Support for 700 MWe PHWRs, life extension of existing NPPs/HWPs, Fuel cycle and Safety
related research etc.
# Metallic fuel for fast reactors and associated fuel cycle
# Development of Advanced Reactor / New Energy Systems like Advanced heavy Water Reactor (AHWR),
Indian High Temperature Reactor (IHTR), Setting up a multi-purpose research reactor with facility
to accommodate a proton beam driven neutron source in future etc.
# Development of core technologies for Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS)
# Development of special materials for high temperature systems
# Development of systems for hydrogen generation and storage
# Energy conversion technologies
# Thorium fuel cycle development
# Major thrust in strategic areas
# Development of special materials
# India’s participation in ITER and development of fusion energy technologies
# Strengthening advanced basic research facilities like Indus-II beam lines, Indian Neutrino
Observatory (INO) and Radioactive Ion Beam (RIB) within the country and participation in
international mega-science projects like Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR),
International Linear Collider (ILC) and X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL)
# Greater outreach of societal applications in the areas of radiation technologies applications,
nuclear agriculture, food processing by irradiation, health care, water,industrial lasers etc
c) During the XI Plan, an amount of Rs.11,000 crore has been provided in the outlay for R&D
activities.