Harnessing the Atom: Strengthening the Regulatory Board for Nuclear Safety in India Based on the Canadian Experience

Abstract

Ending months of uncertainty and political drama, the present Indian Government headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh won a confidence vote on the floor of the Parliament of India paving the way forward for the historic 123 Agreement with the United States. Once operational, this Agreement could end India’s nuclear apartheid making civilian nuclear commerce with members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group a reality. While energy-hungry India needs enormous power to fuel its surging economy, this also raises serious concerns about nuclear safety. With several cases of near misses and accidents, India’s track record on nuclear safety is suspect. However, not much is known about the true state of affairs, primarily because the civilian and weapons programme are intertwined and the Indian nuclear establishment functions in an atmosphere of absolute secrecy. Given the high population densities, the consequences of a nuclear accident could be catastrophic. This article argues that the 123 Agreement provides India with the opportunity to re-engineer the working of its nuclear establishment in order to ensure greater safety, transparency and accountability. It uses the Canadian experience to offer some suggestions to remodel the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, India’s watch dog on nuclear safety.

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Tony George Puthucherril

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Tony George Puthucherril, LLM, MPhil (Water Resources Law), National University of Juridical Sciences, India. Presently an LLM candidate at the Dalhousie Law School, Halifax, Canada. The author can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected].