Development of nuclear sector to create 33,400 jobs

Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said the development of nuclear power plants will create over 33,400 direct and indirect jobs, in addition to helping India achieve a state of self-sufficiency on the pathway to sustainable development.

Addressing the Cabinet meeting here, the Union Minister asserted that apart from improving India's position globally, the development of the power sector will also provide a boost to the domestic manufacturing industry.

"In lieu of the NDA's completion of three years, the development of the power sector along with initiatives like Make in India will help in providing domestic manufacturing orders to domestic manufacturers to the extent of Rs. 70,000 crores," he said.

Furthermore, the first-of-its-kind initiative is said to enhance the efficiency of the power sector, with the establishment of additional power plants.

"India has over 6,780 Mega watts of power units, expected to be doubling in the coming months. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are looking to make India self-reliant in terms of power requirement, along with providing carbon-free sources of power, thus improving India's position globally," added Goyal.

Several decisions were approved at the Cabinet meeting. It sanctioned the building of ten units of indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors for India.

Additionally, on the electrification front, the Cabinet approved the construction of a double-line with electrification between Phephana-Indara and Mau-Shahganj (excluding Indara-Mau) in Uttar Pradesh.

The Cabinet also approved the construction of an electrified third line between Manmad-Jalgaon in Maharashtra.