Indigenously developed Unit-3 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3) in Gujarat's Surat district achieved its criticality, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) said.

PM Narendra Modi congratulated nuclear scientists for the achievement.

What do you mean by criticality?

Criticality is the normal operating condition of a reactor, in which nuclear fuel sustains a fission chain reaction. A reactor achieves criticality (and is said to be critical) when each fission event releases a sufficient number of neutrons to sustain an ongoing series of reactions. It means the plant is now set to generate power.

Kakrapar Atomic Power Project

KAPP-3 is India’s first 700 MWe (megawatt electric) Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) with innovative features. It is located at Kakrapar site in Surat where already two 220 MWe PHWRs (KAPS-1 & KAPS-2) are in operation and another 700 MWe PHWR (KAPP-4) is under advanced stage of construction.

KAPP-3 is a pressurised heavy water type using water moderator, heavy water coolant and natural uranium as fuel with Zircaloy-4 as a cladding material. 

Kakrapar Atomic Power Station Unit-1 went critical on September 3, 1992 and began commercial production in May 1993. KAPS-2 went critical on 8 January, 1995 and began commercial production on September 1, 1995. 

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited 

Nuclear power is the fifth-largest source of electricity in India after coal, gas, hydroelectricity and wind power.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is a public sector enterprise under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). 

NPCIL was established in 1987 with the objectives of operating atomic power plants and implementing atomic power projects for generation of electricity in pursuance of the schemes and programmes of the government under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. 

NPCIL also has equity participation in Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), another PSU of DAE which implements Fast Breeder Reactors programme in the country.

NPCIL is responsible for design, construction, commissioning and operation of nuclear power reactors. 

NPCIL is presently operating 22 commercial nuclear power reactors in seven  nuclear power plants with an installed capacity of 6780 MW. 

Protests against nuclear plants

Following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, there have been many protests around the world against nuclear projects. 

There were many protests in India also against some nuclear power plants.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store