NUKES FOR PEACEFUL APPLICATIONS

India is now an emerging as an important develop(ed) nation to reckon with, topping with an impressive growth rate in GDP of over 9%. However, the growth rate likely to be hampered due to the acute likely shortfall of power to meet the projected growth. From the considerations of global warming, any augmentation to the power grid should be from a source which is environmental friendly. Nuclear power has a bright future as a proved clean energy source. No significant greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, there is an urgent need to increase the nuclear power contribution to meet the total requirements. Existing reactors urgently need uranium fuel to work in full steam. Indian reactors are standardized PHWR reactors, which use natural uranium as the fuel.

In view of the Indian three stage nuclear power development program, the major part of the plutonium from the commercial power reactor spent-fuel reprocessing needs to be deployed for nuclear fuel manufacture for use in the forthcoming more efficient type of reactors like Fast Breeder Reactors for power generation. Use of plutonium in weapons is only one of the many applications of the fissile material.

What about safety? Similar to X-rays, nuclear radiations are also invisible but can be detected by simple electronic instruments. Everybody is aware of the fact that radiations like X-rays and gamma rays are extensively used for medical applications to diagnose diseases of various types and to treat cancer patients. Under such situations, the exposure is given under highly controlled manner, and the procedures are regulated by a separate national regulatory body. In high exposure situations, like accidents, there is a likelihood of health of the exposed persons being affected. By any count, one can never identify nuclear power as a hazardous and accident prone energy source. Actual data also shows that the nuclear power is much safer than other energy sources.

Everyone knows that coal-based power plants are highly polluting and one should be aware of the alarming global warming effects already felt and seen worldwide. Yes, the management of radioactive waste continues to be an emotional subject. It is proved beyond any doubt technically or otherwise that the waste can now be safely managed. One can see that it is definitely managed far better and safely than the much more hazardous chemical and biological hospital wastes.

To meet the power requirement of the next few years, the government should provide full support to private industries to develop the clean renewable sources such as wind, geothermal, solar power and even nuclear power. Public Private Partnership should work wonderfully well. There is also an urgent need for arranging more and more awareness programs to sensitize the public with regard to the benefits and risks of radiation applications in a focused manner. It is a fact that even the educated lot is ignorant about the benefits and risks of radiation and hence there is a need to make them aware of the facts so that policy decisions are taken purely on the basis of merits, keeping environmental safety in mind.