ASSEMBLY POLL '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS '98
ARCHIVES

India ahead of China in nuclear field, says Chidambaram

India is way ahead of China in the field of atomic energy, eminent nuclear scientist Dr Rajagopal Chidambaram has said.

Talking to the media in Ahmedabad, the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission said India has ten atomic reactors functioning efficiently while work on four 220 MW reactors was in progress.

He said so far China has been able to manufacture only one reactor of 315 MW whereas India would be able to make 500 MW reactors within three years.

Dr Chidambaram said two units of 1000 MW each based on light water technology would soon be established in Tamil Nadu with Russian collaboration.

When asked where India stands in the field of nuclear technology, Dr Chidambaram said: ''We were in a sound position, but technology never remains static. It goes on changing."

About disposal of nuclear wastes, he said the country had safe technology for the re-process of the high-level rays while for the remaining waste also technological solutions were available.

''We could have carried out the 6th nuclear test also on May 13 but it was not needed as necessary data had already been obtained from earlier tests. The device used by us was very advanced," he said.

Dr Chidambaram said many countries have nuclear weapons but have not used them against anyone in the last 50 years. ''Our prime minister has said we would never use nuclear weapons against anyone first,'' he pointed out.

''Today we are a nuclear power and no one would dare threaten our security,'' he said.

In reply to another question, the AEC chairman said there was no radiation pollution in atmosphere after the nuclear tests at Pokhran, because all necessary measures were taken by scientists.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report