BARC gets in-principle approval to expand nuclear research campus in Anakapalli

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has received in-principle approval from the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to expand its Research and Development Centre in Anakapalli district, near Visakhapatnam.

The committee cleared BARC’s proposal to divert 148.15 hectares (around 366 acres) of forest land for the expansion, citing the project’s strategic importance. According to the minutes of the EAC meeting, the new campus is being developed close to the Visakhapatnam coastline to meet long-term strategic and research requirements.

Massive Campus Spread Over 3,000 Acres

The site was identified by a Site Selection Committee and has already been approved by the Atomic Energy Commission. BARC has earlier acquired nearly 3,000 acres (about 1,200 hectares) of revenue land for the project. The forest land proposed for diversion lies adjacent to the existing project area and occupies a strategically sensitive zone between the campus and the sea.

Given the project’s high strategic value, the Central government has decided not to make the Detailed Project Report (DPR) public, the committee noted. However, the expansion will include the construction of boundary walls, security fencing, patrol roads, pump houses, watchtowers, drainage systems and other area development works. Specific details of the core research activities have not been disclosed.

The EAC observed that out of 21,244 trees in the area, only 1,722 trees would need to be felled. It also directed that trees located closer to the coastline should not be cut. The committee concluded that the project would have minimal impact on the local ecosystem.

The expansion is expected to support nationally significant research in strategic sectors such as nuclear energy, fuel security, healthcare, agriculture and water resources. A senior Forest Department official said the proposal to allocate forest land was approved after a detailed assessment, based on BARC’s request.

The EAC has recommended approval of the forest land diversion with a condition that the land should not be used for any activities unrelated to the project in the future.