CHIDAMBARAM: Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar told journalists here on Thursday that the civilian nuclear programme of the country would be independent and there was no question of its losing autonomy on the issue.

Asked about concerns that the recent U.S. law on the Washington-New Delhi deal could impinge on India's research and development programme in the nuclear power sector, he said: "Certainly there are concerns and for that we have to seek clarifications [from the U.S.]."

Pointing out that the Henry J. Hyde U.S.-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act was not the last word and the deal would be finalised only with the signing of the 123 agreement, he said: "We have to negotiate and make sure that it [the law] does not impinge on our R&D. We have to maintain our autonomy. No question about it."

Dr. Kakodkar, who is also the Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, made a presentation on nuclear power at a session on "energy security" at the Indian Science Congress here.

He announced that the construction of the 300-MW Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) would begin this year. It would be ready in five-six years.

Estimated to cost between Rs. 1,500 crore and Rs. 1,800 crore, the project assumes importance, as thorium will be used for power generation.

India is estimated to have a reserve of 2.25 lakh tonnes of thorium with an electricity generation potential of 1,55,000 gigawatt-years, against just 61,000 tonnes of uranium with an electricity generation potential of up to 42,000 gigawatt-years.

The use of thorium for power generation had been a dream of the country's nuclear scientists as it would help to make the nuclear programme all the more autonomous, he said.

Dr. Kakodkar, however, declined to identify the site for the AHWR.

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was conducting a pre-licensing review and the site would be announced soon, he said.

The AHWR would have better safety standards and a design life of 100 years. The design was internationally recognised as innovative.

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