NEHRU SCIENCE CENTRE
(National Council of Science Museums)
Dr. E. Moses Road, Worli, Mumbai - 400 018
21st March, 2025 : Development and energy demand are deeply interdependent. Without adequate energy, growth is hindered, leading to crises. In a fast-growing nation like India, energy is crucial for development, and per capita energy consumption serves as a key indicator of progress. To meet rising demands, a balanced mix of renewable and non-renewable sources is essential. While solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower have limitations, nuclear energy stands out as a cheap, stable, long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and safe alternative.
India’s fossil fuel reserves are depleting, and their continued use contradicts global commitments to reducing emissions. Renewable energy technologies are still evolving and face economic and environmental challenges. Recognizing this, Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha envisioned a three-stage nuclear program in 1959, ensuring a long-term, sustainable energy solution.
Despite its advantages, nuclear energy faces public safety concerns. India’s defense in depth policies and engineered reactor designs ensure robust safety, but the public often lacks direct exposure to these safeguards. To bridge this knowledge gap, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) collaborated with the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) to establish the Hall of Nuclear Power at Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai —Dr. Bhabha’s birthplace and home to India’s first nuclear facility. With over 7 lakh annual visitors, including 2 lakh students, the centre is an ideal location to showcase nuclear energy’s role in India's development.
Launched on 20th August 2011, the gallery has played a pivotal role in educating visitors about nuclear science and its real-world applications. With rapid advancements in nuclear technology, the gallery has now been renovated with NPCIL’s support to reflect the latest developments.
The 700 sq. m. gallery, featuring 70 exhibits, takes visitors on an immersive journey through the history, applications, and future of nuclear energy. Interactive panels, videos, dioramas, AR-VR technologies, and virtual walkthroughs explain concepts such as nuclear fission, reactor operations, neutron moderation, heat transfer, and radiation safety. A major highlight is the section on nuclear safety, covering engineered safeguards, radiation protection, and environmental impact.
Beyond power generation, the gallery showcases nuclear technology’s applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry, along with strategies for net-zero emissions and a diversified energy future. Visitors can explore nuclear waste management, fuel processing, and the impact of energy choices through hands-on interactive exhibits, multimedia kiosks, and decision-making simulations.
A state-of-the-art virtual tour of a nuclear power plant allows visitors to experience the inner workings of a reactor, reinforcing public understanding and confidence in nuclear energy. The gallery also honours Dr. Homi Bhabha, highlighting his vision for India's self-reliance in energy.
The Hall of Nuclear Power is designed to provide visitors with credible, engaging, and unbiased insights into nuclear energy. Through self-guided learning, they can explore its benefits, challenges, and future potential—empowering them to form informed opinions about this vital energy source.
The Hall of Nuclear Power was reopened on 24th March, 2025 by Shri Bhuwan Chandra Pathak, distinguished scientist and Chairman & Managing Director, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) in the august presence of Shri B.V.S. Sekhar, outstanding scientist & Executive Director (Corporate Planning & Corporate Communication), NPCIL. The other Dignitaries present on the occasion included Shri Umed Yadav, Additional Chief Engineer (Corporate Planning & Corporate Communication), NPCIL and Shri Umesh Kumar Rustagi, Director, Nehru Science Centre (NCSM).
About NPCIL
NPCIL is a Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India. It is spearheading India's nuclear power programme. NPCIL is responsible for design, construction, operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants in India. With its excellent record of safety, NPCIL aims to preserve the surrounding environment, as the nature intended it to be. "Safety First, Production Next and Environment Foremost", is the motto that guides NPCIL. Dissemination of accurate and authentic information on nuclear power is one of the main objectives of NPCIL.
About Nehru Science Centre
Nehru Science Centre, Dr. E. Moses Road, Worli, Mumbai is a constituent unit of National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), a non-profit making autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. Nehru Science Centre is one of the largest science centers in Asia. The Centre is dedicated to serve the society by popularizing and enhancing public understanding of science and technology through interactive and user-friendly exhibits, plethora of activities, both in rural and urban areas, thereby creating the scientific temper in society.
About NCSM
NCSM, the premier organization in the country under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India is engaged in the popularization and dissemination of science & technology information for welfare of people in a non-formal mode among the masses in general, and students in particular. It has been serving communities across the length and breadth of the nation through a three-tier (national level, regional level and sub-regional level) network of 26 science centres and a fleet of 48 mobile science exhibition units that move into the deep interior regions of the country. NCSM happens to be the world’s largest network of science centres/museums under a single umbrella, and is well known and respected in the international science community for its state-of-the-art exhibit making capabilities, extensive educational & outreach programmes. Besides its own 26 science centres, the NCSM has already established 25 science museums/centres for various state governments/municipal bodies/institutions in the country and also has helped setting up of such centres abroad. Currently NCSM is developing 34 new science centres & planetarium in different parts of the country.