Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the achievement of criticality at India’s indigenously developed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor in Kalpakkam as a ‘historic milestone’ in the country’s nuclear energy journey.
Speaking during the 133rd episode of Mann Ki Baat, Narendra Modi highlighted the development as a major step forward. He described it as a key milestone in the second stage of India’s three-stage civil nuclear programme.
Calling it a ‘big achievement of the country’, the Prime Minister emphasised the role of science in national progress.
“India has always viewed science as linked with the nation’s progress. With this vision, our scientists are advancing the civil nuclear programme. Due to their efforts, this programme is making a significant contribution. This has immensely benefited our industrial growth, energy and health sector. India’s civil nuclear programme has provided immense assistance to everyone from farmers to modern innovators,” PM Modi stated.
Explaining the significance of the milestone, Prime Minister Modi added, “A few days back, our nuclear scientists made India proud with another major achievement. In Tamil Nadu’s Kalpakkam, the fast breeder has achieved criticality. This is a stage in which the reactor achieves success in a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. This stage means the beginning of the reactor’s operation phase.”
The 500 MWe sodium-cooled reactor produces more fissile material than it consumes using mixed oxide fuel. This design supports the third stage of the programme, which focuses on utilising India’s vast thorium reserves for long-term energy security.
Highlighting its indigenous nature, PM Modi asserted, “This nuclear reactor is built entirely on ‘Swadeshi (indigenous)’ technology,” and noted that it not only generates energy but also produces new fuel for future use.
Recalling his visit in March 2024, the Prime Minister said, “I remember the time in March 2024, when I witnessed the core loading of the reactor in Kalpakkam. I congratulate all those who have made an invaluable contribution to India’s nuclear program. Their effort to make the lives of countrymen better and easier is really commendable. This will also give new energy to our resolution of a Viksit Bharat.”
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