Chutka atomic power project to cost around Rs.16,550 crore

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is expected to spend around Rs.16,550 crore towards construction of two 700 MW pressurised heavy water reactors at Chutka in Madhya Pradesh.

According to the draft environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on the company's website, the base cost of the Chutka Madhya Pradesh Atomic Power Project (CMPAPP) was Rs.11,200 crore in June 2011 and is expected to cost around Rs.16,550 crore when the two reactors are completed.

India's atomic power plant operator NPCIL hopes to complete the first unit's construction by December 2020 and the second one by June 2021.

A total of 497.73 hectares is required for the project, of which 67.70 hectares will be for the residential colony of the NPCIL employees and the remaining for the power plant.

The EIA report was prepared by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur.

According to the report, the centre has given in-principle approval for setting up of PHWRs at four new sites and one new site for a cumulative capacity of 11,200 MW.