The government announced that eliminating customs duty on imported goods for nuclear power projects will expedite progress, reduce project costs, and enhance the feasibility of projects with high import components. Dr. Jitendra Singh, MoS for Atomic Energy and Space, highlighted that exempting nuclear fuels and reactor components until 2035 will cut project and electricity generation expenses, making nuclear power projects more economically viable. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has implemented measures to fortify the domestic supply chain for the newly approved 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units.
The initiatives include securing bulk orders for continuity, broadening the vendor base with essential support, advocating indigenous equipment for import substitution, earmarking specific equipment for local suppliers, and organizing vendor meets to boost Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by giving them preference in bids. Additionally, increased funding for research and development at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is being directed towards diverse technology development to achieve self-reliance. The focus areas encompass the development of new research reactors, isotope production facilities for cancer treatment, advanced reactor technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), hydrogen production, accelerator technologies, laser-based applications, and advanced materials and manufacturing technologies.
The government clarified that there are no current plans to integrate the PM Gati Shakti framework with the construction and logistics of upcoming nuclear parks in coastal States. India’s nuclear expansion is projected to grow gradually, reaching approximately 22 Gigawatts (GW) by FY2032, factoring in ongoing and planned projects, as per a recent report by credit ratings agency Infomerics Ratings. The SHANTI Bill 2025 has replaced the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, establishing a unified legal framework governing development, safety, security, safeguards, and nuclear liability.
