Parliament Question: Nuclear power plant in Punjab

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4453 ANSWERED ON 02/04/2026 NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN PUNJAB

4453. SHRI SATNAM SINGH SANDHU

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

(a) the current status of Government’s feasibility review for establishing a nuclear power plant in Patiala, Punjab, to support the State’s transition from coal-based energy ;

(b) whether alternative sites in Punjab are being evaluated in case the Patiala location is found unviable ;

(c) whether Government has taken note of public concerns regarding nuclear safety, waste management and environmental impact, particularly after the SHANTI Act, 2025 and the entry of private players; and

(d) the outreach measures and institutional safeguards, including oversight by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, proposed to ensure safety and build public confidence ? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) There is presently no proposal to set up a nuclear power plant in Patiala, Punjab.

(b) Presently no sites are being evaluated in the state of Punjab. A site at Patran in Patiala district of Punjab was evaluated in the early 2000s and found to have a potential for locating a nuclear power station of 4X700 MW. However, the then state government in 2007 had informed that a policy decision was yet to be taken in this context. Either the same site or alternate sites, if offered by the state government will be evaluated by the Standing Site Selection Committee (SSSC) of DAE to assess their potential.

(c)&(d) Yes, NPCIL, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy is carrying out a structured public awareness programme across the country, to promote awareness about nuclear power in a credible manner. The focus of the outreach has been on the students & teachers, local community, decision makers & people’s representatives, press and media and opinion makers apart from the public at large.

Presently, public outreach activities are being taken up adopting a multi-pronged approach on a continuous basis. These activities include visits to school and colleges, NCC camps, site visits, visits to Science Centres, exhibitions, lectures/seminars andmiscellaneous initiatives. The efforts include creation of appropriate public awareness materials and their dissemination to all target groups.

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has an established public outreach program to spread awareness and keep the public informed on radiation and nuclear safety related matters. AERB conducts awareness programs in the vicinity of NPPs and radiation facilities, to engage with public, spread awareness about radiation safety regulation. AERB also publishes its quarterly e-newsletters, annual report and all relevant information related to radiation and nuclear safety matters on its website.

AERB also issues press releases on matters related to nuclear and radiation safety. *****