Tue Jun 24 14:39:45 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced the central government’s willingness to establish a nuclear power plant in Bihar, as part of a broader plan to install six Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) across India. This announcement was made during the Regional Power Ministers’ Conference (Eastern Region) in Patna. Minister Khattar also highlighted the progress made in the power sector, including the installation of smart meters in Bihar and India’s shift from a power-deficit nation to an exporter of electricity. The move aims to ensure energy security and boost the economies of states like Bihar. SMRs are a cost-effective and safe alternative to traditional nuclear power plants, making them suitable for regions with moderate power demands.
**News Article:**
**Central Government Greenlights Nuclear Power Plant for Bihar in Historic Energy Push**
**Patna, June 24, 2025** – In a landmark announcement at the Regional Power Ministers’ Conference (Eastern Region) in Patna, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar revealed that the central government is prepared to support the establishment of a nuclear power plant in Bihar. This initiative is part of a larger national plan to deploy six Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) across the country, aiming to bolster energy security and fuel economic growth.
“If the Bihar government wants to set up a nuclear power plant, the central government is fully prepared to provide support,” Minister Khattar assured, speaking to media. He was presiding over the fifth meeting of Energy Ministers from eastern states, including Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, and Jharkhand.
In addition to the nuclear plant proposal, the central government agreed to provide an additional 500 MW of power to Bihar for the next three months. “At the meeting we reviewed the power situation in eastern States, their problems and also discussed the vision for power sector in the country till 2035,” Khattar said.
Minister Khattar praised Bihar’s progress in the power sector, particularly the installation of smart meters. He emphasized the country’s transformation from a power-deficit nation to a net exporter, supplying electricity to countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal.
“The country is becoming self-sufficient in power sector,” asserted Mr. Khattar.
The proposed nuclear power plant would be the first of its kind in Bihar, expected to create jobs, attract investment, and spur technological advancement. SMRs offer a cost-effective and safer alternative to traditional large-scale nuclear reactors, making them ideal for regions with moderate power demands.
The move is hailed as a potential game-changer for Bihar’s energy sector. All eyes are now on the Bihar government to see how quickly they can implement this ambitious project.
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