Kaiga, Karnataka:
India today crossed an important bridge when the 20th nuclear reactor of the country was commissioned at Kaiga.
Loud applause and smiles as India's latest nuclear reactor became operational.
It runs only on domestic fuel and will produce both electricity and strategic material for the nuclear weapons program.
"Today Kaiga unit-4 attained the first criticality which essentially means the sustainable chain reaction got established for the first time today, this is a very significant step for a nuclear reactor. It happened so smoothly we are feeling very happy," said Dr Srikumar Banerjee, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission.
India is now one of only 6 nations that have 20 or more operational nuclear reactors.
But more important this may well be India's last small power reactor.
From now on India will make this 220 MW model only for export. For domestic use India will now build only larger reactors.
By 2032, India nuclear capacity is expected to go up 63,000MW.
It is a red letter day for India's nuclear program as India has now joined the Big Boys Club in the nuclear arena.