While maintaining that nuclear energy is the safest form of electricity generation in the coming years, the head of the public awareness division of the department of atomic energy, Government of India, at Mumbai, Mr Swapnesh Kumar Malhotra said it would take some more time to resume works of the proposed nuclear power park in Kovvada coastal mandal in Srikakulam district by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited to generate 9,564 MW with an investment of Rs.1 lakh crore.

Mr Malhotra, who was the chief guest at a two-day national seminar on ‘Peaceful Applications of Atomic Energy, addresed the gathering of science and technology students here. The event was organised by the Department of Atomic Energy, GOI in association with the GITAM Institute of Science and Technology on the university campus at Rushikonda here on Wednesday.

Speaking to this newspaper on the sidelines of the symposium, Mr Malhotra explained that the land acquisition works of the project were not yet completed. The authorities concerned were still holding talks with the US over the import of advanced nuclear reactors, which are required to operate the proposed plants across the country including one such at Kovvada. Mr Malhotra exuded confidence that they would most probably import reactors to be designed by US based firms.

India, in spite of being the fifth largest producer of electricity in the world has a very low per capita electricity availability. Hence, the country needs to increase its per capita electricity consumption from the existing 700 KWH per year to atleast 5,000 KWH by 2050 to acquire the status of developed countries, the nuclear scientist explained.

Nuclear power, which comes under non-fossil electricity generation, is totally safe and essential for future needs. But unfortunately, some people were misguiding general public by developing unnecessary misconceptions in their minds about this eco-friendly energy, Mr Malhotra lamented.