Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 4, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project in Rajasthan, along with several central and state government infrastructure projects. The ceremony highlighted investments in nuclear, solar, and power transmission projects totaling INR1,22,100 crore (USD18.8 billion).

PM Modi at the ceremony

The Mahi Banswara project will feature four 700 MWe pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) designed by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). It is part of India’s fleet mode initiative to construct ten identical 700 MWe reactors at different locations, following uniform design and procurement plans. This approach aims to enhance cost efficiency, accelerate deployment, and consolidate operational expertise across the nuclear sector.

The four units at Mahi Banswara will be developed under Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd (Ashvini), a joint venture between NPCIL (51%) and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC, 49%). The formation of Ashvini, which will construct, own, and operate nuclear power plants, received government approval last year.

Earlier in 2025, India’s Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) granted siting consent for the reactors near the village of Napla, a critical step in the nuclear licensing process. This approval was recently transferred to Ashvini to facilitate project development.

The ten-unit fleet includes reactors at several sites: Kaiga units 5 and 6 in Karnataka, Gorakhpur units 3 and 4 in Haryana, Chutka units 1 and 2 in Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan units 7 and 8. Two 700 MWe PHWRs at Kakrapar in Gujarat are already operational, while Rajasthan unit 7 was connected to the grid in March and unit 8 is under construction.

The Banswara ceremony also inaugurated additional energy projects. Solar initiatives worth INR19,210 crore and three power transmission projects exceeding INR13,180 crore were included, alongside substations and other infrastructure investments to strengthen regional connectivity.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized the role of electricity in national development, stating: “In today's era of technology and industry, development runs on the power of electricity; electricity brings light, speed, progress, connectivity, and global access.” He added that for nations to achieve rapid development in the 21st century, scaling up electricity generation—particularly in clean energy—is essential. “Our government is transforming the clean energy mission into a people's movement,” he said.

The Mahi Banswara project is expected to contribute significantly to India’s clean energy capacity while supporting economic growth and regional employment. By combining nuclear power with solar and transmission infrastructure, the initiative reflects a strategic effort to strengthen energy security, expand generation capacity, and modernize India’s electricity network.

This milestone underlines India’s commitment to advancing a diversified energy mix, promoting innovation in nuclear technology, and integrating large-scale infrastructure development with sustainable energy objectives. The completion of Mahi Banswara and associated projects will support both domestic power needs and the country’s broader clean energy targets.