Shri Sreekumar G Pillai, an Outstanding Scientist and Deputy Chief Executive, Nuclear Recycle Board, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, has been appointed as the new Director of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, from January 1, 2026, succeeding Shri C G Karhadkar, who retired on December 31, 2025. This leadership transition strengthens IGCAR’s focus on advanced nuclear research, aligning with India's atomic energy goals.

Shri Pillai holds a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from Calicut University. He joined the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, in 1990 and served there for 35 years in various roles. His career began at the Plutonium Plant in Trombay as Shift Charge Engineer, progressing to Senior Process Engineer and Superintendent (Operations).

He brings over three decades of experience in spent fuel reprocessing, radioactive waste management, back-end fuel cycle operations, project management, procurement, safety assessments, and regulatory compliance. His expertise covers design, construction, commissioning, and operations & maintenance of fuel cycle facilities. He led multidisciplinary engineering teams for the design of a second integrated reprocessing plant, embedding IAEA safeguard requirements, and participated in strategic safety reviews. As Regional Director, Purchase & Stores Division, NRB, procurement procedures that ensured compliance with departmental, DoE, and GeM procurement frameworks were established through broad vendor engagement, enhancing competitiveness and efficiency.

As Deputy CE NRB, he oversaw the project management of two high value back-end facilities, seamlessly coordinating with multiple stakeholders and agencies to achieve project milestones within cost and schedule.

His major contributions were decontamination and recommissioning of the high-radiation process system, and commissioning of the Power Reactor Thoria spent fuel reprocessing facility. He was involved in IAEA safeguards & safety review for the integrated reprocessing facility. He oversaw strategic project management for multi-crore back-end facilities. His contributions were central to the national objective of transitioning towards commercial deployment of second-stage nuclear power plants, by design; construction, commissioning & operation of recycle plants. He established robust financial monitoring mechanisms for high-value projects to ensure cost control.

Some of his notable honours include the Scientific & Technical Excellence Award (2010), Group Achievement Award for O&M of Plutonium Plant, Trombay (2012), and Group Achievement Award for recovery of SNM from Strategic Composite Fuel Elements (2017).

 

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