Nuclear energy inevitable for India’s transition into a developed nation: HBNI Vice-Chancellor

The Hindu Bureau

COIMBATORE: To meet India’s energy demand for industrial and societal development, nuclear power generation has to be increased at the fastest possible pace, U. Kamachi Mudali, Vice-chancellor of Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), said in Coimbatore on Saturday.

Nuclear power is expected to contribute about 22,480 megawatt by 2031, from 8,880 MW today, which is about 2-3% of the total power produced in the country. Though India was the third largest producer of electricity in the world, a 10-fold growth in electricity generation capacity must be achieved for growing into a developed nation over the next 50 years, the V-C of HBNI (affiliated to Department of Atomic Energy, Mumbai) said, while addressing the 40th convocation of Bharathiar University.

He said, “The Central Government’s allocation of ₹20,000 crore for this purpose, and the SHANTI (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) Bill passed recently in Parliament paving way for private participation in building and operating nuclear power plants were important steps to support the 100 Gigawatt nuclear capacity target by 2047, strengthening regulatory safety.”

The future of the nation is certain to offer enormous challenges and opportunities. Twenty first century belongs to Indians and India, he said.

Flanked by Prof. Kamachi, the Convenor of BDU Vice-Chancellor Committee and Secretary of Higher Education Department P. Shankar, and Registrar R. Rajavel, Chancellor and Governor R.N. Ravi conferred degrees on 92,287 graduands, including 150 university rank holders. Out of 1,718 Ph.D. candidates, 224 received degrees in person from the Governor. The rest constituted one D.Sc. candidate, 64 M.Phil. candidates, 473 P.G. Diploma holders, 70,077 undergraduates and 19,954 postgraduates.

Presenting the Performance Report, the Higher Education Secretary said BDU’s IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) Cell has made a significant achievement by receiving 28 patents, and results were awaited for 17 patents filed. Similarly, 28 copyrights have been registered and one copyright has been filed. The Cell has received the Best Performance Award from the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, Chennai, he said.

The DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence, Bharathiar University, formed through an MoU effective till 2047 has undertaken five projects worth ₹4.07 crore. Five more projects valued at ₹5 crore were in the pipeline, Mr. Shankar said.

Though the university had formally invited Minister for Higher Education Govi. Chezhiaan and printed his name in the invitation with the approval of Higher Education Department, he did not take part.