A new city is being built in Karnataka that has caught the attention of foreign media for several years. Media from various countries, including Pakistan and America, speculate that this Indian city is being developed for nuclear weapons production due to the secretive acquisition of land from surrounding villages and the swift construction of a large wall.
The city in question is Challakere, previously a small unnoticed village station in southern Karnataka’s Chitradurga district. Recent years have seen an influx of people and increased train stops, indicating significant changes.
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Foreign media report that Challakere may host a secret nuclear city for activities like nuclear weapons manufacturing, uranium purification, research, and missile development. India denies these claims, although a senior nuclear program official hinted at the possibility of uranium processing in the area.
Which 4 Institutions Are Being Built in Challakere
Development is underway on a 10,000-acre site, where four major institutions are being built simultaneously. These institutions, including top scientific and research centers, aim to support India’s strategic programs. Coordination among these institutions will ensure rapid advancement in science and research to meet the country’s future needs.
What was Going to Happen In Challakere?
Concerns arose in 2009 when farmers’ lands were acquired on a large scale, prompting legal action in the Bengaluru High Court. Eventually, the government allocated land to institutions like DRDO, the Indian Institute of Science, the Indian Space Research Organization, and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, with the remaining area designated for the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Development Corporation.
In 2011, the Government of India declared the area a Science City, emphasizing its role in providing a secure environment for future projects. DRDO will focus on advanced aerospace and missile technology programs within this designated area.
Will Future Weapons be Developed in Challakere?
Looking at the famous American magazine “Foreign Policy,” recently published a comprehensive report on India’s construction of a secret nuclear city in Challakere, where future weapons with atomic bombs will be developed.
This extensive complex will be operated for programs related to military activities. It will feature various types of laboratories, conducting not only nuclear research but also serving as weapons production and aircraft testing facilities.
The Government of India has named Challakere under construction as Science City. Work in this city will involve producing fuel for nuclear reactors and equipping the country’s submarine fleet with nuclear power.
Work Started in 2012
Work commenced in 2012, abruptly beginning in Chillakere. Villagers expressed anger upon seeing barbed wire fences erected around their fields and homes. The direction of the village road was altered, and machinery began appearing. Shortly after, a solid boundary wall was constructed, obscuring the view of what lay within.
Leading South Indian website Newsminutes.com reported on protests by people facing eviction from their lands, but these efforts proved futile. Completion of the project is expected within a year or two. Notably, this area of Karnataka has witnessed over a hundred farmer suicides due to drought.
India’s Ambitious Project
India’s ambitious project, as per the “Foreign Policy” report, has garnered attention. The report’s author, Adrian Levy, known for his work on Pakistan’s nuclear program, spoke with experts. They suggest that India’s nuclear projects indicate a future accumulation of refined uranium reserves for use in hydrogen bombs or thermonuclear weapons.
What Do Experts Say?
Western media speculates that India will enhance its nuclear capability significantly after the city’s construction, potentially producing larger and deadlier nuclear weapons.
The Stockholm Institute estimates India’s current nuclear arsenal at 90 to 110 weapons, with Pakistan at 120 and China at 260, possibly increasing in the future.
This is Happening in Only Three Countries of The World
“Foreign Policy” magazine quoted Australian nuclear expert John Carlson, who noted that only three countries – India, Pakistan, and North Korea – are still producing components for nuclear weapons. Carlson suggests India’s thermonuclear program has advanced to a level comparable with Britain, America, Russia, France, and China.
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