New Delhi (PTI): Future nuclear power reactors could come up near populated areas as scientists develop newer and safer technologies to generate clean energy.

The much-awaited Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) may be the first reactor to come up in populated areas like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

The pre-licensing review of the technology demonstrator reactor has been completed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and BARC is making a case for reducing the exclusion zone for the reactor.

"We may be able to reduce the exclusion zone around the reactor. Now it is 1.6 km radius from the reactor. But it (the proposed reduction) has to be approved by the Regulatory Board," BARC Director Srikumar Banerjee told PTI on the sidelines of the Convocation Ceremony of Indian Agriculture Research Institute here on Friday.

A relaxation in the exclusion zone will enable to have the reactor in populated places. Right now no the reactors cannot be placed there, he said.

He dimissed suggestions that the project has been delayed as it has gone back to the design board.

"Design is more or less frozen," Banerjee said.

The civil nuclear sector is poised for a boom period and India plans to generate 20,000 MW power from atomic plants by 2020.

Banerjee said construction of the AHWR, which has a lifespan of 100 years, is expected to begin in the 11th Plan period.

"We have not announced the construction yet because we are looking for a suitable site," he said.