The nuclear power plants at Tarapur, Rawatbhatta, Kaiga, Narora, Kalpakkam, Kundankulam and Kakrapara ensure no human habitation within 1.6 km from their perimeters. However, this may change soon, if the atomic energy scientists have their way.

Scientists are planning to locate future thorium reactors within 500-600 metres of towns as not many sites are available if they stick to the 1.6 km exclusion zone criterion. Construction of the first prototype of a 300 MW thorium reactor – called advanced heavy water reactor (AHWR) – is being delayed as the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is yet to take a decision on the reduction of the exclusion zone.

“The reason for the delay is that we may be able to reduce the exclusion zone around the reactor. Now it is 1.6 km but if every reactor requires 1.6 km of exclusion zone then the number of sites available are not too many,” Dr Srikumar Banerjee, director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai said at the Indian Agriculture Research Institute’s convocation here on Friday.

Assuring that the AHWR design is frozen, the BARC director said reduction of the exclusion zone would allow locating nuclear reactors in populated places though it might not happen in immediately.

“Since AHWR will have many advanced passive safety features, the exclusion zone may be in the range of 500-600 metres depending on the site locations. The current norms on exclusion zone are being reviewed,” Dr R K Sinha project manager for AHWR told Deccan Herald from Mumbai.