Two more units, one in Kaiga and the other in Rajasthan are nearing completion and will achieve first criticality later this year. After commissioning of all these units, the installed nuclear capacity will become 2770 MWe. Two pressurised Heavy Water Reactors of 500 MWe rating are under construction at Tarapur and it is planned to launch construction of two more units of 220 MWe rating at Kaiga in the near future. Technologies, to be widely accepted, should be economically competitive, less they are edged out. This will definitely cut costs and accelerate the progress of the nuclear power sector and I promise you my Government's full support.
Energy is an essential ingredient for social and economic development.
Our per capita energy consumption must be increased substantially before the benefits of growth can reach all parts of our country, including rural areas. As sources of fossil fuels like coal and oil fast deplete, nuclear power will become increasingly important, contributing substantially to the energy sector of our country. This shows our confidence in our nuclear strength. It also shows our desire that weapons of mass destruction should not be used by anybody. I wish to reiterate India's commitment to time-bound and comprehensive global nuclear disarmament.