The global nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), today suggested strengthening certain fire safety measures and stronger root-cause analyses of problems at the two atomic power plants in Rawat Bhata in Rajasthan.

The Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) of the IAEA made the recommendations after a detailed review at units 3 and 4 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station which had begun on October 29th.

The international experts were also impressed by a number of good practices at RAPS and have agreed to share it with the global nuclear industry for consideration.

A statement by the OSART mission, which comprised experts from eight countries besides the IAEA,said,the plant should enhance actions to maintain electrical cable conditions at a high standard.It also recommended that the fire doors inspection and maintenance programme should be enhanced to identify and correct their function.

It said the RAPS management expressed their determination to address all the areas identified for improvement and requested that the IAEA schedule of a follow-up mission in approximately 15 months.

The OSART team has given the plant management a draft of its recommendations, suggestions and good practices in the form of 'technical notes' for factual comments.

These will be reviewed at the IAEA headquarters and a report would be submitted to the government within the next three months.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had directed the Department of Atomic Energy to subject nuclear plants in the country to the OSART process to assist in its own safety reviews and audits of nuclear power plants.

This decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Dr.Singh in April last year to review safety concerns about nuclear plants across the country in the wake of the nuclear accident at Fukushima in Japan.

Three atomic power plants experienced a full meltdown following loss of power due to a massive earthquake and a subsequent tsunami at Fukushima on March 11th last year