Production stopped at heavy water plant for first time in 28 yrs

Aswapuram (Kothagudem): The production at the heavy water plant in Manuguru in Kothagudem district has been stopped temporarily due to shortage of water in the river Godavari.

The production is expected to resume in a couple of days, a report said. The production was stopped on May 11 and is expected to resume in a couple of days, official sources said, adding that the plant Chief General Manager Jitendra Srivastava was away and expected to arrive on Tuesday.

After his arrival, a decision would be taken to resume the production as the water level at the intake well in the river was reaching satisfactory level. The plant draws water from an intake well near a barrage built by British engineer Sir Arthur Cotton near Kummarigudem.

It is said that it was for the first time in the last 28 years, the production of Heavy Water (D2O) used as moderator in nuclear reactors was shut down at the plant, sources added.