Thorium-based nuke reactors best suited to feed energy hungry economy: Kalam

Former President A PJ Abdul Kalam has said that the country should go in for thorium-based nuclear reactors to feed the energy hungry economy.

Chennai, July 27 : Former President A PJ Abdul Kalam has said that the country should go in for thorium-based nuclear reactors to feed the energy hungry economy.

Addressing teachers and students of Anna University, Kalam said: "India has to go in for nuclear generation in a big way using thorium-based research reactors. Thorium, of course, is a non-fissile material for research available in abundance in our country."

He further added that intensive research is essential for converting thorium for maximizing its utilization for electricity generation through thorium-based reactors.

India's nuclear power capacity of 14 reactors is presently 3900 Megawatt (MW).

It is expected to go to 7400 MW by 2010 with the completion of nine reactors, which are now in progress.

Kalam, who demitted office on July 25, is expected to take up a teaching assignment with the premier technical institute, where he worked for some time after superannuating as the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister in 2001-2002.

As an honorary professor, Kalam will teach aeronautical engineering, nano-technology, bio-technology and space applications, besides guiding research scholars.

Kalam was teaching 'technology and social transformation' at the university between November 2001 and June 2002.

ANI