India to boost nuclear fusion technology

NEW DELHI: With an aim to boost its capabilities in nuclear fusion technology, India on Thursday decided to join the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project at an estimated cost of Rs 2,500 crore.

A meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the country's participation in the project and decided to set up an empowered Board by the Governing Council of the Institute for Plasma Research for its effective implementation, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters here.

The foreign exchange component of the project, to come up at Cadarache in southern France, is calculated at Rs 1129 crore.

"India's joining ITER is a recognition of its scientific and technical capability in fusion energy. Considering India's large energy needs in future, our gaining technological capability in fusion energy will be of considerable long term benefit", Dasmunsi said.

He said India's participation in IETR would allow the country to "leapfrog in terms of our national technological capability in fusion energy".