A Review of the Indian Fast Reactor Programme

India's Gross National Product, growth rate during 1987-88 has been about 1.8%, while the industrial growth rate was about 10%. The low GNP growth rate compared to the earlier years is due to severe drought the country had to face due to failure of monsoon. The import of oil during 87-88 was 18.6 million tonnes and caused a heavy burden on foreign exchange. The hydel power generation was low due to failure of rains. However, this has been partly made up by improved capacity factors of the coal based thermal power plants. The average plant load factor (PLF) in the country improved markedly to 56.4%. Some of the coal based thermal plants achieved PLFs over 75%. Four 500 MWe coal based thermal power stations have been commissioned during 87-88. About 1200 Km out of 1750 Km, of underground gas pipeline, Hazira-Bijapur- Jagadispur, has been commissioned for transporting gas for fertiliser and power plants. Encouraging results are being achieved for oil exploration in Cauvery, Krishna and Godavari basins