Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Rawatbhata
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
India uses nuclear power as one of the sources of electricity generation. Several nuclear power stations are located in different states, each associated with a particular site name. In Rajasthan, the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project is an important nuclear installation. General knowledge questions often test whether candidates can correctly associate this project with its specific location. This question focuses on identifying the place in Rajasthan where the atomic power station is situated.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The Rajasthan Atomic Power Station is located at Rawatbhata in the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan. The installation comprises multiple reactor units and is one of the earliest commercial nuclear power stations in India. Pokhran is associated with nuclear tests, not a commercial power station. Suratgarh is known for thermal power and agriculture, while Chittorgarh is the name of the district and famous fort, not the specific nuclear plant site. Recognising that Rawatbhata is the proper name of the nuclear power station site is the key to answering the question.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Rajasthan hosts the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project, a nuclear power station.
Step 2: Remember that this project is located at a town called Rawatbhata, near Kota and within the Chittorgarh district.
Step 3: Examine the options and identify Rawatbhata as one of them.
Step 4: Recognise that Pokhran is well known for nuclear weapons tests, not for a power generating station.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct location of the atomic power station in Rajasthan is Rawatbhata.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, recall that official references often use the name Rajasthan Atomic Power Station, Rawatbhata. News and educational material about Indian nuclear power list Rawatbhata along with other sites such as Tarapur, Kakrapar, and Kalpakkam. Pokhran, on the other hand, appears in discussions of underground nuclear tests and defence, not commercial electricity generation. This clear separation in usage confirms that Rawatbhata is the correct answer for the power station.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Pokhran is wrong because it is associated with nuclear tests in the Thar Desert region, not with a civilian nuclear power plant. Suratgarh is wrong because it is known more for thermal power and irrigation projects than for nuclear energy. Chittorgarh, although the district where Rawatbhata lies, is not the specific site name used for the atomic power station and is typically remembered for its historic fort rather than a nuclear plant. Therefore, only Rawatbhata directly names the nuclear power station site.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse Pokhran's nuclear test fame with nuclear power generation and choose it as the answer. Another pitfall is to see the name Chittorgarh and assume that because Rawatbhata is in that district the plant will be referred to by the district name. However, exam questions usually expect the precise site name. To avoid such errors, it is helpful to memorise the main nuclear power stations with their exact locations, such as Rawatbhata in Rajasthan and Tarapur in Maharashtra.
Final Answer:
The atomic power station in Rajasthan is situated at Rawatbhata.
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