Private Sector Builds India’s First Heavy Water Test Facility

28 Jul 2025 CW Team

In a major stride towards nuclear self-reliance, India’s first privately built test facility for upgrading depleted heavy water has been commissioned by TEMA India Ltd. The facility was inaugurated by Shri Rajesh V, Director – Technical, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), and Shri K. T. Shenoy, Director, Chemical Engineering Group, BARC. Developed under a technology transfer from BARC and a purchase order from NPCIL, the unit represents a landmark in public-private collaboration and supports the government’s Atma-Nirbhar Bharat initiative.

Previously, critical testing for heavy water distillation components was only conducted within BARC. This new facility—designed, engineered, and commissioned by TEMA India’s nuclear vertical—brings advanced nuclear infrastructure to the private sector for the first time.

The dignitaries also flagged off the first validated consignment of eight distillation column sections, comprising activated phosphor bronze modules, key to Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). These components, tested rigorously in-house, will be deployed at major projects including RAPP Unit 8, GHAVP Units 1–4, and KAIGA Units 5 & 6.

This development reduces reliance on imported nuclear components and external testing infrastructure, strengthening India’s domestic manufacturing capabilities in the strategic energy sector. It aligns with national goals of energy security, technology sovereignty, and long-term resilience in nuclear infrastructure.

The inauguration ceremony also featured a traditional pooja, tree plantation, and a symbolic dispatch of the first shipment. Officials hailed it as a landmark in India’s nuclear journey and a testament to the growing capabilities of Indian firms.

The initiative marks a new era of synergy between NPCIL, BARC, and private industry, showcasing how India’s public and private sectors can jointly develop high-tech infrastructure in critical domains.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Nov 2025

Maiden Forgings Becomes Approved Supplier to OFB Murad Nagar

Maiden Forgings Limited (MFL), one of India’s leading producers of bright steel bars and wires, has been officially registered as an approved supplier with the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Murad Nagar, under the Centralised Vendor Registration process.This recognition adds to MFL’s existing registration with OFB Kolkata, marking another strategic step in its deepening engagement with India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. With this new approval, the company strengthens its foothold in the Business-to-Government (B2G) segment and expands its participation in the nation’s defence prod..

DCIL Signs MoUs Worth Rs 176.45 Billion to Boost Maritime Modernisation

The Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) has signed 22 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 16 organisations, collectively worth Rs 176.45 billion, during the India Maritime Week 2025 held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, from 27–31 October.DCIL operates under a consortium of four major ports — Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), Paradip Port Authority (PPA), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) — under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW).The MoUs include collaborations with leading ports such ..

Goa Advances Sustainable Future with Scientific Waste Management

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reaffirmed Goa’s commitment to strengthening environmental sustainability through scientific and responsible waste management practices. He highlighted that the Common Hazardous Treatment and Storage Facility has become a key element in ensuring the safe, efficient, and sustainable management of hazardous waste across the State. Sawant said the state-of-the-art facility not only addresses critical environmental challenges but also supports local employment, with nearly 80 per cent of its workforce comprising Goan youth. He added that the State’s environmenta..