BARC Plans Major R&D Campus in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati: In a significant development for Andhra Pradesh, the prestigious Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is planning to set up a large Research and Development campus in Anakapalli district, close to Visakhapatnam. The proposed campus will be spread across nearly 3,000 acres and is expected to play an important role in strengthening India’s strategic and scientific capabilities.

According to sources in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, BARC has requested permission to divert 148.15 hectares of forest land for the project. This forest land is located next to the revenue land that has already been acquired by the Andhra Pradesh government for the campus. The forest area lies between the project site and the sea.

An Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Union Environment Ministry reviewed the proposal earlier this month and has recommended “in-principle” approval for diverting the forest land. The committee noted that over 1,200 hectares, or roughly 3,000 acres, of revenue land has already been secured for the project.

The EAC observed that the location was selected based on recommendations of a Site Selection Committee and was approved by the Atomic Energy Commission. The centre is being planned on the east coast for strategic reasons, though detailed project information has not been made public as it is a sensitive national project.

As part of the initial work, BARC plans to build a compound wall, security fencing, watch towers, patrol roads, drains, and other basic infrastructure. Of the more than 21,000 trees in the area, around 1,722 will be felled. However, trees close to the coastline will be protected, and officials said the overall ecosystem will not be affected.

The committee stated that the new centre will support national development through research in nuclear energy, healthcare, agriculture, water management, and other strategic sectors. Importantly, no non-essential land use will be allowed on the diverted forest land in the future.

This project is expected to bring prestige, development, and long-term benefits to Andhra Pradesh.