NEW DELHI: India is set to build 10 fleet-mode nuclear reactors in the next three years. The construction of the first reactor at Kaiga in Karnataka is scheduled to begin next year, according to national media reports.

The Department of Atomic Energy has informed the parliamentary panel on science and technology that the construction of Kaiga Units 5 and 6 (FPC-First Pouring Concrete) will take place in 2023. The total cost is expected to be Rs 1.05 lakh crore. The Centre has approved the construction of ten reactors together to save construction costs and reduce time. The Department of Atomic Energy has sanctioned an engineering, storage and construction package for Gorakhpur three and four units and Kaiga five and six units for Turbine Island.

The government expects to build a nuclear power plant in fleet mode within five years. India currently has 22 nuclear reactors with a capacity of 6780 MW. The 700 MW reactor in Gujarat was connected to the grid on January 10 last year but has not yet commenced commercial operations.