In a significant move to bolster India’s indigenous technological capabilities and strategic materials program, Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, inaugurated the Versatile Deuterated Compounds Production Plant and commissioned the 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell at the Heavy Water Board Facilities in Vadodara. Mohanty highlighted that these initiatives showcase India’s progress in developing critical materials and technologies through local research and innovation, aiming to enhance strategic self-reliance and support advanced scientific research.
The Versatile Deuterated Compounds Production Plant has been set up to improve India’s indigenous capacity for producing specialized deuterated compounds essential for advanced scientific research, strategic applications, and frontier technological programs. This facility is crucial for meeting national demands by domestically producing high-purity deuterated solvents, playing a key role in this critical domain.
The commissioning of the 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell signifies a significant technological advancement in the local industrial-scale production of nuclear-grade sodium, a vital material for India’s Fast Breeder Reactor Programme. Developed through persistent research, engineering excellence, and technological innovation, this facility is a crucial step towards achieving self-reliance in strategic materials needed for the second phase of India’s three-stage nuclear power program, aligning with the vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat.
These accomplishments demonstrate the Department of Atomic Energy’s unwavering dedication to technological self-reliance, innovation, and excellence in strategic sectors. They further propel India’s progress towards technological advancement and strategic capability development, aligning with the national vision of a self-reliant India.
