Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Geography | Science & Technology
Why in News?
Recently, Scientists from BARC are evaluating potential locations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the establishment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
- Site assessment – It is being conducted across all three districts of the Union Territory.
- The proposal arises in the context of:
- Increasing electricity demand
- Expansion of strategic infrastructure
- The growing maritime significance of Great Nicobar
- The increasing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
- Factors contributing to the rising power
- Infrastructural project development – The Great Nicobar Project encompasses the following components:
- Development of an International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT)
§ Proposed location: Galathea Bay
§ Planned capacity: 14.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU)
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- Construction of a greenfield international airport
- Development of a new township
- Establishment of power infrastructure
- Implementation of other associated infrastructure
- Strategic Importance – It is situated near critical maritime routes that connect the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia.
- This location holds significance for several strategic domains such as trade, maritime security, defense, energy security, and regional connectivity.
- Strategic Advantages
- Enhances India's strategic presence in the eastern Indian Ocean.
- Facilitates monitoring of critical maritime routes.
- Supports the broader maritime security architecture of India.
- Offers strategic proximity to the approaches of the Strait of Malacca.
- Enhances India's capacity to respond to developments in the eastern Indian Ocean.
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INS Baaz
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- INS Baaz functions as a naval air station, commissioned in 2012.
- It is recognized as India's southernmost air station.
- Situated at – Campbell Bay on Great Nicobar Island.
- The location provides India with strategic advantages for monitoring maritime approaches near the Six Degree Channel and the Strait of Malacca.
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Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC)
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- It is the only tri-services command in India.
- Situated in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- The command integrates the following services:
- Indian Army
- Indian Navy
- Indian Air Force
- Indian Coast Guard elements
- Strategic Significance
- Facilitates maritime surveillance.
- Ensures the protection of India's maritime interests.
- Maintains a strategic presence in the eastern Indian Ocean.
- Monitors critical sea lanes.
- Provides defense for the island territories.
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Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
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- BARC is recognized as India's leading nuclear research institution.
- Located at Trombay, Mumbai.
- Functions under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
- Associated with:
- Nuclear science
- Nuclear technology
- Reactor research
- Nuclear applications
- Radioisotope applications
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- Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) – These are nuclear reactors characterized by a lower power output compared to conventional large-scale nuclear reactors.
- These reactors are designed to be:
- Smaller in physical size,
- Modular in design,
- Potentially manufactured in factories, and
- Easier to deploy in regions with limited electrical grid infrastructure.
Reference
Economic Times | SMR in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
