_______ is one of the important nuclear power projects located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. 

The correct answer is Tarapur.

Key Points

• Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) is located in Maharashtra, India, and is the first nuclear power plant in India.
• The power station was commissioned on 28 October 1969 and is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
• The station initially started with two boiling water reactor (BWR) units supplied by General Electric (USA) and later expanded with two indigenously designed Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR).
• Tarapur is one of the largest contributors to nuclear power generation in India.
• The plant plays a significant role in India's energy security and climate change mitigation by providing clean and reliable electricity.

Additional Information

• What is a Nuclear Power Plant?
  • A nuclear power plant uses nuclear fission reactions to generate heat, which is then used to produce steam that drives turbines to generate electricity.
  • It is considered a low-carbon source of energy, contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)
  • A PHWR is a type of nuclear reactor that uses heavy water (deuterium oxide) as its coolant and moderator, allowing it to use natural uranium as fuel.
  • It is the most common reactor type in India, due to its adaptability to indigenous fuel resources.
• Role of NPCIL
  • The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is a public sector enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy, responsible for the design, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants in India.
  • NPCIL has been instrumental in driving India's nuclear energy program.
• India's Nuclear Power Program
  • India's nuclear power program operates under a three-stage plan: Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs), and Thorium-based reactors.
  • The program focuses on utilizing indigenous resources like thorium for long-term energy sustainability.