Lok Sabha Question No. 4068 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Research and Development Programme for Nuclear Disaster
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: DUSHYANT SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4068 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015

## RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR NUCLEAR DISASTER

4068.  SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is promoting research and development programmes to  tackle  with  the  effects  of  a  nuclear  disaster  like  inhibiting  the  harmful radiations from spreading over a large area, etc.;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of the funds allocated to carry out these programmes/projects;
- (d) the details of the projects fully or partially funded by the Government in various national or international research institutes; and
- (e) the details of the preventive measures (operational) suggested to the operators of the nuclear power stations in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)      Yes, Sir.
- (b)     Nuclear Facilities in India are designed, constructed, commissioned and operated in  conformity  with  relevant  nuclear  safety  requirements.  Though  the  engineered safety features incorporated in the nuclear facilities ensure that the probability for any  major  accident  is  extremely  small,  emergency  preparedness  and  response plan (EPR) are developed on scientific basis and exercised regularly to minimise any possible radiological consequences. These include early detection of abnormal situations, Source Term (Radioactivity release) estimation, Radiological Dispersion  Studies,  Radiological  Impact  Prediction,  Development  of  the  state  of the art radiation monitoring instruments, Dosimetry , Decontamination Techniques, Studies of Radioactivity migration into soil, Decision Support Systems etc.

Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB)  promotes  R&D  work  in  support  of  its regulatory decisions pertaining to nuclear and radiation facilities. AERB implements  the  safety  analysis  and  R&D  projects  through  in-house  divisions  & Safety Research Institute (SRI), Kalpakkam and through funding research projects of  regulatory  interests  at  various  reputed  universities  and  academic  institutions under  the  Committee  for  Safety  Research  Programmes  (CSRP).    The  safety analysis work carried out in nuclear and radiation safety areas are:-

- (i) Reactor  Safety  analysis  including  deterministic  and  probabilistic  safety analysis
- (ii) Reactor Physics
- (iii) Severe Accident Analysis
- (iv) Hydrogen Distribution and Mitigation
- (v) International Collaborative Safety Analysis Exercises
- (vi) Structural Analysis
- (vii) Thermal Hydraulic and Radiological Impact Assessment
- (c)&(d)    An amount of ` 31 crore has been allocated under the XII Plan Project of BARC titled 'Development of National Level Preparedness for Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies'.

In addition to above, AERB has been funding a number of projects involving experimentation and analysis related to accident phenomena and accident mitigation  in  nuclear  power  plants.      These  projects  have  been  useful  in arriving at the safety requirements and for refining the computational tools. AERB  experts  are  also  participating  in  some  of  the  research  projects conducted  by  the  International  Atomic  Energy  Agency  and  the  Nuclear Energy Agency of Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

AERB has allocated an annual budget of ` 2  crore  for  funding  the  Safety Research Projects.  The outcome from these projects is used as an input for regulatory decisions.

- (e) AERB has specified comprehensive safety requirements for various phases of  establishment  and  operation  of  nuclear  power  stations  in  the  country. The  safety  requirements  are  specified  for  siting,  design,  operation  and decommissioning  and  address  nuclear  safety,  radiation  safety  and  safe management of radioactive wastes.  The safety requirements specified for the nuclear power stations cover both preventive and mitigatory aspects.

Detailed Emergency Operating Procedures and Emergency Preparedness Plans  are  put  in  place  at  all  the  operating  nuclear  power  stations  in  the country.    Emergency  exercises  are  carried  out  periodically  to  verify  and improve effectiveness of the Emergency Preparedness Plans.

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