Lok Sabha Question No. 486 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Nuclear Waste Management System
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 486 ANSWERED ON 23/07/2025

## NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

## 486.  SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) the  total  volume  of  nuclear  waste,  categorized  as  low,  intermediate  and  high-level, generated  annually  in  India  during  the  last  ten  years  along  with  the  projected  waste volumes based on planned capacity expansion;
- (b) whether  there  have  been  any  accidents,  leaks  or  safety  incidents  have  occurred  at nuclear waste management or interim storage facilities during the said period;
- (c) the current status of clearance and disposal for nuclear waste including the total quantity cleared so far indicating the locations where disposal has taken place or is planned and any pending clearances; and
- (d) the details of safeguards and procedures implemented to ensure safe storage, handling and disposal of nuclear waste at these sites?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) The wastes generated at the nuclear power stations during their operation are of low and intermediate radioactivity level. These wastes are appropriately treated, concentrated and subjected to volume reduction. The concentrates are immobilized in inert materials like cement, bitumen, polymers etc. and stored in specially constructed structures (near surface disposal facilities) located at the site under monitoring. The treated  liquids  and  gases  are  diluted  and  discharged  under  continuous  monitoring, ensuring that the discharges are well within the stipulated limits set by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). The radioactivity level of the stored wastes reduces with time and by the end of the plant life, falls to very low levels. The releases are also monitored by AERB.

The  volume  of  low  and  intermediate  level  wastes  generated  from  the  operating nuclear power stations annually during the last 10 years was about 1.25 lakh cubic meter  (m3)  and  130  cubic  meter  (m3)  respectively.  The  projections  of  waste generation for future would depend on the actual capacity additions and technologies adopted.

During the recycling of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) small amount of liquid radioactive wastes are generated which are classified as low, intermediate and high level as per the  safety  guidelines  of  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB)  and  Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Safety Council (BSC). Current strategy for their management involves treatment of intermediate level waste to convert it to low and high-level  wastes  followed  by  immobilization  of  high  level  waste  to  vitrified  glass. Total volume of vitrified waste generated by processing one metric ton of Pressurised Heavy Water (PHWR) spent nuclear fuel is around 0.2 m 3 .

- (b) There has been no incident of release of radioactivity from Nuclear  Waste Management Facilities nor any incident/accident at the waste management plants/interim storage Facilities during the said period.
- (c) Radioactive nuclear waste is systematically treated, conditioned, and monitored prior to its disposal at designated storage locations. This is a continuous process, and there is no backlog of conditioned waste awaiting disposal at interim storage facilities.

The  low  half  life solid waste  from  nuclear  facilities is disposed  in  specially constructed  engineered  structures  in  Near  Surface  Disposal  Facility  within  the boundary  of  facility.  These  disposal  facilities  are  co-located  near  reactor/nuclear facilities to avoid transportation of radioactive waste through public domain. All the Nuclear  Power  Plant  (NPP)  sites  have  Near  Surface  Disposal  of  Radioactive  Solid Waste (NSDF) at the site except Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), where waste is stored in engineered modules within the facility.

- (d) The nuclear waste handling, treatment, storage and disposal are carried out as per the well laid down procedures and guidelines stipulated by the AERB in accordance with the  Atomic  Energy  (Safe  Disposal  of  Radioactive  Wastes)  Rules,  1987  and  the

requirements of AERB  Safety Code on 'Management  of Radioactive Waste (AERB/SC/RW)'.  The  adherence  to  these  is  verified  through  periodic  inspection conducted by AERB. The handling and disposal area is kept under surveillance by the facility management. The environmental monitoring is carried out by Environmental Survey  Laboratories  (ESLs)  of  BARC.  The  results  do  not  indicate  any  buildup  of radioactivity  in  the  environment  and  annual  doses  are  well  below  AERB  specified limits.

Comprehensive  safeguards  and  well-established  procedures  are  implemented  to ensure the safe storage, handling, and disposal of nuclear waste. Waste management practices are governed by stringent regulatory standards and are designed to protect operating personnel, the public, and the environment. Radioactive waste is segregated based  on  its  activity  level,  treated  using  appropriate  techniques  such  as  chemical decontamination, absorption, ion exchange/membrane separations and volume reduction,  and  then  conditioned  into  stable  forms  suitable  for  storage.  Engineered storage  systems  with  multiple  containment  barriers,  radiation  shielding,  and  leak detection  mechanisms  are  employed  to  prevent  any  release  of  radioactivity.  Waste handling  operations  are  conducted  using  remote  or  shielded  systems,  wherever necessary,  and  under  strict  radiological  surveillance.  Regular  monitoring,  periodic safety reviews, and adherence to approved waste disposal protocols ensure continued safety throughout the lifecycle of waste management.

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