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From the Chairman’s Desk

Dear Readers,
Owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our society has been witnessing

unprecedented changes in almost all spheres of life. Our traditional ways of functioning have
been challenged. Newer avenues are being explored leading to gradual acceptance of ‘New
Normal’. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) too has adapted to the changing times and
started functioning following the extant government guidelines.

AERB conducted its first ever virtual meeting of its Board during the lockdown period to review the
commissioning activities of Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) Unit-3 and its readiness for First Approach to
Criticality (FAC). Based on the culmination of the safety review, the Board gave clearance for FAC to KAPP-3 on
July 17, 2020 and subsequently KAPP-3 achieved first criticality on July 22, 2020. It was the first reactor in the
world to achieve criticality during the COVID-19 times. I take this opportunity to place my heartfelt appreciation
for the entire nuclear community for their dedication and unhindered commitment in spite of the several
restrictions imposed on man and material movements during the lockdown.

Three new AERB Safety Guides were published during the period. These have been made available on
AERB’s Website. With regard to conduct of regulatory activities, while physical inspections continued to be
deferred, AERB has started carrying out remote inspections to ensure continuity in regulatory oversight of AERB
on nuclear and radiation facilities. Towards streamlining the regulatory interfaces, AERB participated in various
Inter-Ministerial meetings.

In 2015, AERB had hosted the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) Mission which is the peer
review mission of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IRRS team reviews the functioning of the
regulatory framework and processes followed in the host country. India is planning to host the follow-up IRRS
Mission with extended scope in the coming year. For this purpose, the preparatory meeting was conducted during
July 21-23, 2020 in virtual mode. The terms of reference for the extended follow-up mission were finalized during
the preparatory meeting.

While AERB has started using the virtual medium extensively for its regulatory activities, AERB is now
exploring to use it for public awareness and safety promotional activities. In the coming days, AERB is planning to
conduct webinars on selected topics. Details of such programmes are being worked out and will be announced
shortly. We look forward to extensive participation of our stakeholders in these events.

I wish all a happy and safe festive season.

2 Vol. 31, No.3, JULY-SEPTEMBER 2020