(Representative image) MUMBAI: PM Narendra Modi’s Thursday announcement about govt moving towards opening up nuclear sector to private players has been welcomed, though with a fair degree of scepticism.According to Modi, privatisation would help in development of small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactors and innovation. “This reform will give new strength to India’s energy security and technological leadership.”However, Atomic Energy Commission member Ravi B Grover told TOI Friday, “They (SMRs) are yet to be developed and it is premature to bet on them. With regard to SMRs, we are near peak of expectations. It is better to go for 220MW pressurised heavy water reactors rather than reactors whose technology is not yet established and whose economic viability remains unproven.”Anil Kumar Anand, former director of BARC’s reactor research group, who headed the nuclear submarine project, expressed an equal degree of scepticism. “Opening up nuclear field to private sector requires a lot of resources and money. For industries, to design and develop SMRs will be a challenge.”Anand added govt had set an ambitious target of 100GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. This means raising proportion of nuclear power from 2% to 9% in two decades.Another ex-official from nuclear sector who declined to be identified said if privatisation plan took off, it might require a revamp of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, which mainly scrutinises safety standards at reactors.He added new private reactors should fall under ambit of the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group waiver and India-specific safeguards agreement.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCyclone Ditwah Approaches India: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh Brace For Impact’Op Sindoor Was Just A Glimpse Of Future Theatre Commands’: Air Marshal Ashutosh DixitPM Modi Unveils World’s Tallest Bronze Statue Of Lord Ram In South GoaIndia Says US Trade Deal Is ‘Only Matter Of Time’ As Tariffs Reshape Bilateral Trade NegotiationsPM Modi Joins Over 1 Lakh Devotees In Mass Bhagwat Gita Recitation At Udupi EventIndia’s Updated Quake Map Warns Entire Himalayan Arc Faces Major Risk, Forcing Urgent Safety Reforms’They Are Ours, We’ll Prove It’: Pakistani Leader’s Absurd Claim On ‘Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan’Cyclone Ditwah Intensifies, Monsoon Fury Slams Sri Lanka With At Least 56 Dead And Dozens MissingViral Video: Stage Crashes During UP Wedding As BJP Leaders Gather To Greet Bride & GroomIndia-Russia Summit Dates Out As PM Modi, Putin Review S-400, Su-57 And Global Security Challenges123PhotostoriesAnkita Lokhande reveals she is returning to Laughter Chefs season 3; Krushna Abhishek says ‘We will celebrate Christmas with our Bhauji’4 simple exercises that can help relieve foot pain from diabetic neuropathyGirija Oak Godbole: Surprising facts about the ‘blue saree girl’ you didn’t knowFrom Pythons to Koalas: 5 sleepyhead animals that nap their way through most of the day2 effective drinks to control blood sugar naturally and how to make them at homeRanbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt to Randeep Hooda: Actors who disappeared with their rolesFrom Saraayah to Sipaara: A look at 2025 Bollywood baby names and their meanings5 countries with zero airports, yet travellers make it in for the experienceSobhita Dhulipala to Shanaya Kapoor: 5 breathtaking celeb looks of the dayHow to make iron and protein-rich Egg and Spinach Omelette for breakfast123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJayden Daniels InjuryCyclone Ditwah ImpactBengaluru techieFortnite Chapter 7 LeakedAyesha CurryFuzzy ZoellerDelhi Car Blast10 Greatest Thanksgiving Moments in NFL historyGabrielle UnionVanessa Bryant
MUMBAI: PM Narendra Modi’s Thursday announcement about govt moving towards opening up nuclear sector to private players has been welcomed, though with a fair degree of scepticism.According to Modi, privatisation would help in development of small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactors and innovation. “This reform will give new strength to India’s energy security and technological leadership.”However, Atomic Energy Commission member Ravi B Grover told TOI Friday, “They (SMRs) are yet to be developed and it is premature to bet on them. With regard to SMRs, we are near peak of expectations. It is better to go for 220MW pressurised heavy water reactors rather than reactors whose technology is not yet established and whose economic viability remains unproven.”Anil Kumar Anand, former director of BARC’s reactor research group, who headed the nuclear submarine project, expressed an equal degree of scepticism. “Opening up nuclear field to private sector requires a lot of resources and money. For industries, to design and develop SMRs will be a challenge.”Anand added govt had set an ambitious target of 100GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. This means raising proportion of nuclear power from 2% to 9% in two decades.Another ex-official from nuclear sector who declined to be identified said if privatisation plan took off, it might require a revamp of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, which mainly scrutinises safety standards at reactors.He added new private reactors should fall under ambit of the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group waiver and India-specific safeguards agreement.
