Lok Sabha Question No. 1646 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Fast Breeder Reactor Project
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel, Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Shri Miteshbhai Rameshbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO -1646

ANSWERED ON 10/12/2025

## FAST BREEDER REACTOR PROJECT

## 1646.   SHRI HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI PATEL SHRI MITESH PATEL BAKABHAI SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details of the achievements in the Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) project since the recent grant of fuel loading permission;
- (b) the details of steps taken/being taken by the Government to strengthen the domestic supply chain of specialised nuclear components under Make in India;
- (c) the  manner  by  which  the  Government  is  scaling  up  domestic  exploration  and processing of uranium and other rare atomic minerals; and
- (d) whether the Government is ensuring safe and long-term management of radioactive waste generated from the expanding reactor fleet and if so, the details thereof

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) issued permission for Initial Fuel Loading (IFL)  into  the  reactor  core,  First  Approach  to  Criticality  (FAC)  and  Low  Power Physics Experiments (LPPE) for PFBR on 16.10.2025.  Loading of 37 sub-assemblies including 28 fuel sub-assembilies into the reactor is in progress.  Once the loading of all fuel sub-assembilies into the reactor core is completed, the next milestone is First Approach to Criticality.
- (b) The present ecosystem of the domestic nuclear industry comprises both government and  private  units.    The  Departmental  enterprises  are  engaged  in  manufacturing  of nuclear  materials  (nuclear  fuel,  neutron  absorbers,  heavy  water,  zirconium  alloy products etc.), nuclear reactor fuel assemblies, components, nuclear detectors/sensors, etc.

Majority  of  nuclear  equipment  for  700  MWe  PHWRs,  200  MWe  Bharat  Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), and 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55) are within the capability of Indian private industries.  To meet the requirements of nuclear energy  capacity  expansion,  the  Department  gives  priority  for  development  of  new vendors with handholding by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to fulfil the mandate of 'Make in India'.  Capacity augmentation of private players is likely to be stimulated by scale of orders.

- (c) Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of  Department  of  Atomic  Energy  (DAE),  has  the  mandate  to  identify  and  evaluate mineral resources of  uranium,  thorium, niobium,  tantalum, beryllium, lithium, zirconium,  titanium  and  Rare  Earth  Elements  (REEs)  to  support  Nuclear  Power Programme of the country.

To identify and augment additional mineral resources of the aforesaid elements, AMD is  carrying  out  integrated  and  multi-disciplinary  exploration  (including  geophysical, geological, geochemical and radiometric surveys) in potential geological domains of the country.

Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the DAE, is engaged in the mining and processing of uranium ore in the country.  The company is operating seven uranium mines and two processing plants in the State of Jharkhand and one uranium mine and processing plant in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

- (d) DAE has a comprehensive and internally aligned framework to ensure safe and longterm  management  of  radioactive  waste  generated  from  the  existing  reactors  and expanding reactor fleets including fleets of small modular reactors (SMRs). Nuclear waste  arising  from  the  nuclear  power  plants  and  fuel  cycle  facility  will  be  safely managed/disposed under the provisions of 'The Atomic Energy Act, 1962', subsequent  amendments  and  the  Atomic  Energy  (Safe  Disposal  of  Radioactive Wastes) Rules, 1987.

As  a  waste  management  philosophy,  no  waste  in  any  physical  form  is  released/ disposed  to  the  environment  unless  same  is  cleared,  exempted  or  excluded  from regulations. Low  and  intermediate level waste generated from operation and maintenance of a nuclear power plants are managed at plant site itself. These wastes are treated, concentrated, compacted, immobilised in solid like cement and disposed in  specially  constructed  structures  such  as  reinforcement  concrete  trenches  and  tile holes located at the site. The disposal facility is kept under constant surveillance to confirm effective containment of radioactivity present in the disposed waste.

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