New Delhi: India is pursuing a research programme for developing thorium-based reactors for generation of power, parliament was informed Wednesday.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister`s Office V. Narayanasamy told the Lok Sabha that thorium played a pivotal role in India`s nuclear power programme. "Right from the inception of (the) programme, work has been carried out on various aspects of thorium utilization-mining and extraction of thorium.

"In addition, studies have been carried out regarding use of thorium in different types of reactors," the minister said. IANS