Kudankulam in final stages of commissioning: Kailash Chandra Purohit

NEW DELHI: After being plagued by delays, India's first large-size imported nuclear reactor at Kudankulam is in the final stages of commissioning.

"We are proceeding with some final regulatory processes on the Kudankulam project. It is in the final stages of commissioning," Kailash Chandra Purohit, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) told.

Purohit, who took over as NCPIL CMD yesterday, said the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) officials were carrying out detailed inspection of the reactor after the removal of the dummy fuel from Unit-I of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project.

Officials in Kudankulam said a three-stage review process was underway before the AERB grants permission for initial loading of fuel into the reactor.

Another three-stage process follows after permission is granted for loading of fuel into a reactor. It involves initial system performance tests at low, medium and rated power levels as determined by the stable operation of the turbine.