Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendra Singh has said India’s nuclear programme has vindicated Homi Bhabha’s pledge that the country’s atomic capabilities would be used solely for peaceful purposes. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he noted, nuclear science is now driving practical gains in healthcare, clean drinking water and other citizen-centric areas across the country.
Peaceful applications in health and oncology
Dr Singh underlined that early doubts about India’s nuclear intentions have been dispelled by the scale of its welfare-oriented applications, particularly in cancer care. Eleven Tata Memorial cancer hospitals have been sanctioned, of which nine are already functional, and a national oncology grid now links over 300 hospitals with advanced diagnostic and treatment support based on nuclear medicine and radiotherapy technologies. These initiatives, he said, showcase how nuclear research is being translated into life-saving services for ordinary citizens.
Opening the nuclear sector to private participation
The Minister highlighted that, for the first time, the government has opened parts of the nuclear sector to private players through public–private partnerships. Nearly 40 private partners are now associated with atomic energy-based water purification projects, enabling wider deployment of advanced filtration and decontamination systems in rural and semi-urban areas. According to Dr Singh, this reform underscores a policy shift where nuclear science is leveraged as a tool for “a healthier, safer, and more empowered India,” rather than being confined to strategic or power-generation roles.
Odisha as a model for nuclear-linked water purification
Responding to a question on health issues linked to contaminated water in Nuapada and Kalahandi regions of Odisha, Dr Singh said the state has become a model for nuclear-supported water solutions. In Kalahandi district alone, 500 reverse osmosis-based purification units set up with Department of Atomic Energy support are supplying safe drinking water by removing excess salinity and harmful chemical contaminants. Ultrafiltration systems designed to eliminate microbes and pathogens have also been installed in select areas, while similar community units are operational in Khordha, Mayurbhanj and Boudh districts, helping curb water-borne ailments.
Nationwide, non-discriminatory rollout across states
Dr Singh emphasised that the rollout of nuclear-backed purification systems follows a non-discriminatory, need-based approach, independent of the political party governing any state. Beyond Odisha, installations have been implemented in West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Karnataka, ensuring that vulnerable populations across the country gain access to safe drinking water wherever public health data justifies intervention. He linked this to the Prime Minister’s call for every citizen to contribute to a Viksit Bharat, stating that protecting citizens’ health is a foundational governmental duty.
Conclusion
Concluding his remarks, Dr Jitendra Singh said this programme, anchored in peaceful objectives since Homi Bhabha’s time, has matured into a powerful engine of national development. From supporting expansive cancer-care networks to delivering clean water solutions in some of the most remote and affected districts, nuclear science is now directly improving lives and reinforcing India’s commitment to responsible, welfare-driven use of advanced technology.
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Source: PIB
