Atomic energy: Reaching out to the people for perception management

Abstract

For long-term sustainable development of India nuclear power is an inevitable option. As of 2016 India has an installed nuclear capacity of 5780 MWe and has 5300 megawatts electric (MWe) plants under construction. It has an ambitious plan of attaining more than 60,000 MWe of nuclear power by 2032. Public acceptance is going to be a very crucial rate-determining step in realising this objective. There are perceptions about atomic energy among the general public, which are not based on scientific facts, and these need to be addressed through proper public outreach approach aptly supported by sound rehabilitation and resettlement policy and corporate social responsibility activity. Continuous communication with the stakeholders in a simple language, which is free of complicated scientific and technical jargon, is the basis of a successful public outreach strategy. This chapter elaborates the major public perceptions about atomic energy and the corresponding realities. It emphasises the need for communication and full-time communicators, and also the potential of social media for wider interactive communication with various sections of society, particularly the younger generation. It brings out the importance and role of media for eradicating the myths about atomic energy prevalent in the society. It briefly discusses the need for inclusive growth and seamless development of the neighbourhood areas around nuclear facilities. The chapter also discusses the recent initiatives taken by the Department of Atomic Energy, and finally, outlines the further steps to be taken to create a situation where rather than pushing nuclear energy to the society, a pull for the same from the society can be created.