The Union government has cleared a Rs 9,600 crore fast reactor fuel cycle facility (FRFCF). It is India's first FRFCF. The union cabinet recently gave its green signal for the FRFCF (or fuel reprocessing facility) project to be set up in Kalpakkam, RK Sinha, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) said. Work on the project is expected to start later this year.

PR Vasudeva Rao, Director, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), said that tenders are yet to be issued for high value items. This will be followed by placing orders. Construction is expected to start on the facility at the end of this year. The facility will cater to the upcoming Rs 5,677 crore 500 mw prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, around 70 km from Chennai.