Lok Sabha Question No. 96 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Disposal of Atomic Waste
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: VIRENDRA  KUMAR, SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.*96 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2016

## DISPOSAL OF ATOMIC WASTE

- *96. DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR: SHRI SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  quantity  of  nuclear  waste  generated  by  the  nuclear  power  plants, plant/year-wise during the last three years;
- (b) the mechanism put in place to dispose of nuclear waste safely;
- (c) the extent to which the technology used is effective and efficient;
- (d) whether the Government has drawn any plan to build underground repository for storing nuclear waste with latest technology and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has undertaken such a programme with the support of any foreign countries and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND IN THE PMO (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) to (e) A statement is placed on the Table of the House.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *96 DUE  FOR    ANSWER    ON    02.03.2016    BY    DR.  VIRENDRA  KUMAR  &    SHRI  SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL REGARDING DISPOSAL OF ATOMIC WASTE.

- (a) The quantity of low and intermediate level waste to be stored at site is about 0.15 cubic meters/year/MW.
- (b) A  comprehensive  radioactive  waste  management  system  is  established taking  into  account  the  operational  capability  under  the  supervision  of  an independent  regulatory  agency.  The  radioactive  solid  wastes  generated during  operation  and  maintenance  of  nuclear  power  plants  are  segregated and volume reduced prior to its disposal. Disposal of waste is carried out in specially  constructed  structures  such  as  stone  lined  trenches,  reinforced concrete  trenches  and  tile  holes.  These  disposal  systems  are  designed  on multi-barrier principle for ensuring effective containment of radioactivity.  The areas  where  the  disposal  structures  are  located  are  kept  under  constant surveillance  with  the  help  of  bore-wells  laid  out  in  a  planned  manner.  This policy  is  on  par  with  international  practices  following  the  guidelines  of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
- (c) The  mechanism  used  is  very  effective  and  efficient.  The  areas  where  the disposal structures are located are kept under constant surveillance with the help  of  bore-wells  laid  out  in  a  planned  manner.  The  underground  soil  and water  samples  from  these  bore  wells  are  routinely  monitored  to  confirm effective confinement of radioactivity present in the disposed waste. Till date the surveillance of the disposal areas at different sites has confirmed the high degree  of  effectiveness  of  the  disposal  system  for  containment  of  the disposed wastes. There has been no incident of release of radioactivity from such disposed wastes. No effect of radiation from the disposed wastes on the public or the environment has been observed.
- (d) Considering the level of waste generation and the technological innovations there is no requirement of repository in the near future.
- (e)      The  programme  for  India's  nuclear  waste  management/disposal  is  totally indigenous and no foreign support is taken.

*****