[This is the reactor which had provided the plutonium for the first test nuclear explosion on May 18 1974. That the reactor had been provided by Canada for peaceful/civilian nuclear programme had triggered the charge of cheating and international furore.]
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2011/01/01&PageLabel=7&EntityId=Ar00702&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T <http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2011/01/01&PageLabel=7&EntityId=Ar00702&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T> END OF AN ERAFarewell to BARC’s ‘star’ nuke reactorCirus Aided Pokhran I TestSrinivas Laxman TNN Mumbai: As the city was gearing up to usher in the new year on Friday, an important event took place at BARC, India’s nuclear weapon laboratory at Trombay. The curtains came down on the 40 mw Cirus (Canada-India Reactor) which celebrated its golden jubilee this year. This reactor, which had played a crucial role in India’s first nuclear weapon test at Pokhran in May 1974, passed into history between 11.45 pm and midnight on Friday, when it was shut down. It had attained criticality on July 10, 1960. A secret US state department airgram to the American embassy in New Delhi in March 1966, stated: Canada-India reactor (Cirus) was capable of producing enough plutonium for one or two nominal yield weapons annually, although India has agreements with both Canada and the United States to employ the reactor for peaceful purposes only. Director of reactor group at BARC VK Raina explained that there were two ways of closing the reactor. “First, the shutting down can be done in a few seconds. Second, the process can be completed slowly by reducing the power in phases. We chose the second option,” said V K Raina. The closure of Cirus was envisaged in the Indo-US nuclear deal. Asked whether India buckled to American pressure, Raina said, “Since it was built with Canadian assistance, “international opinion” wanted it either to be placed under safeguards or shut down.’’ When the reactor was refurbished in 2002, it was projected that it would have a lifespan till 2012. “ In the last two or three years we noticed that it had begun to show ageing tendencies which could prove to be a life limiting factor. So, we decided to shut it down on December 31. After shutting it down, we have to unload its core and rods and remove the heavy water,’’ he said. -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB.
