Ambitious neutrino project awaits PMO approval.

India's ambitious project intending to study the properties of atmospheric neutrinos through an underground lab in Theni district of Tamil Nadu at a total cost of Rs. 1,500 crore is awaiting a final nod from the Prime Minister’s office.

'We have done all the pre-approval work such as fencing, constructing basic necessary buildings at Madurai. But the first step towards the main project needs PMO approval and that’s what we have been waiting for,' Naba K Mondal, chief of the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project told PTI.

Mondal was here to present a paper on the INO project at the 80th annual meet of the Indian Academy of Sciences, which concluded recently.

Christened 'India-based Neutrino Observatory' by the Department of Atomic Energy, the project will study atmospheric neutrinos some 1,300 metres below the ground near Pottipuram village of Theni district and is expected to provide precise measurement of neutrino mixing parameters.

INO was initially allotted Rs. 83 crore to start various pre-project activities at the site.



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