Setting up of Neutrino Research Centre

• The Government will establish The India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) jointly by the Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Science and Technology. A site in Bodi West Hills near T. Pudukottai village of Theni district, Tamilnadu has been identified as a suitable location.
• The project includes construction of a world-class underground laboratory under a rock cover of 1200 metre from all directions. The underground laboratory will be accessed by 7.5 metre wide tunnel of approximately 2 km in length. The primary goal of INO is to study neutrino properties. Determination of neutrino properties is one of the most significant open problems in physics today. Such studies will help us to understand the interactions among subatomic particles at a very small scale. In this underground laboratory, a massive 50 kton particle detector will be installed to study the cosmic ray produced neutrinos. 
• In order to minimize the impact on the environment, howsoever small, it is proposed to setup an Environment Monitoring Cell to oversee the implementation of the environmental management plan of INO. Some of the measures that will be implemented are: (i) control blasting and use of new vehicles to reduce the noise level during construction phase; (ii) disposal of rock debris as and when generated; (iii) planting local species and greening; (iv) waste disposal and sanitation etc.