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No-fly zones over nuclear power stations

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Security at country’s nuclear power stations is all set to beefed up with all of them being declared no-fly zones to avoid any possibility of aircraft crashing into them.

Confirming reports in this regard, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission Anil Kakodkar said the Civil Aviation Ministry was coordinating with other government agencies to put such a system in place.

Speaking to reporters after delivering the 44th founder memorial lecture of the Shriram Institute for Industrial Research here, he, however, declined to give any time frame for introduction of no-fly zones.

“They [the Civil Aviation Ministry and the security agencies] are working on it. They have to put so many procedural things in place for it to happen.”

At present, only Tarapur Atomic Power Station in Maharashtra comes under a no-fly zone. Dr. Kakodkar, who is also Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, declined to comment on the reported statement of the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Richard Boucher, that the India-U.S. nuclear deal was not bound by Hyde Act. “It is a political issue. I have no comment on it,” he said.

Earlier, in his lecture, Dr. Kakodkar highlighted the role radiation technology could play in promoting food security. He appreciated the Shriram Institute for Industrial Research headed by R.K. Khandal for being one of the first to recognise the use of radiation as an important processing tool.

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