In a significant address, former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Anil Kakodkar, underscored the pivotal role of thorium in securing India's energy future. He delivered this message during a memorial lecture honouring the late Dr. M. R. Srinivasan, a pioneer of India's nuclear programme.
Thorium: The Cornerstone of Energy Security
Speaking at the Dr M R Srinivasan Memorial Lecture, jointly organised by Thakur College of Engineering And Technology and the National Centre For Science Communicators, Kakodkar presented a compelling case. He stated unequivocally that thorium is the definitive answer for India to achieve energy independence. The event marked the 95th birth anniversary of Dr Srinivasan, who passed away on May 20, 2025.
Kakodkar backed his argument with compelling global resource data. He revealed that while the world holds an estimated six million tonnes of thorium, India's share is a substantial one million tonnes. This positions the country with the largest reserves globally. In stark contrast, global uranium reserves stand at six to eight million tonnes, with India possessing only about 0.4 million tonnes.
From Uranium Access to Thorium Transition
The former AEC chairman connected India's past diplomatic moves to its future energy strategy. He explained that the country's limited domestic uranium availability was a primary driver behind the landmark Indo-US civil nuclear agreement. "After this agreement was signed, India got global access to uranium," Kakodkar noted, acknowledging its role in the current nuclear programme.
However, the long-term vision, he emphasised, must pivot to thorium. Kakodkar outlined a clear pathway, suggesting the use of thorium in pressurised heavy water reactors. This approach, he asserted, would be safer, cheaper, and more fuel-efficient compared to existing models. "The transition to thorium would enable faster growth," he told the assembled audience, adding that "Thorium will allow continuity of nuclear energy programme."
Inherent Safety and Strategic Advantages
Kakodkar detailed multiple benefits that make thorium an attractive fuel option for India's specific context. His list included significant advantages that address both operational and security concerns:
- Lower reprocessing burden, simplifying the fuel cycle.
- Greater proliferation resistance, enhancing global security credentials.
- Greater accident tolerance and more safety, a critical factor for public acceptance and operational reliability.
The lecture served as both a tribute to a founding figure of India's nuclear journey and a strategic roadmap for its future. By leveraging its vast thorium reserves, Kakodkar argued, India can build a secure, sustainable, and self-reliant energy infrastructure for the coming decades.
