Monday, February 21 2005 13:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has asked for a detailed report on the impact of tsunami on the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) project to "facilitate fresh assessment of the design before taking up further construction".

Based on these reviews, if required, design modifications would be stipulated by AERB," Board chairman S K Sharma said.

There is plenty of time to implement the changes, if needed, because the PFBR is expected to be completed only by 2010, he said.

However, a committee appointed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI ) - the organization responsible for construction of PFBR - as concluded that "no further additional margin or protective measures is required for PFBR".

Baldev Raj Director of the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research at Kalpakkam who chaired the committee said that the conclusion was reached since the PFBR site already met the AERB requirements.

He said that the safety structures of PFBR have ground elevation of 7.9 meters above mean sea level - that is more than AERB stipulated level of 6.5 metres.

While AERB calls for consideration of maximum wave height of around 2.5 meters due to tsunami, the safety structures of PFBR have actually been designed for 3.7 meters surge (from cyclones).