The Inter Institutional Centre for High Energy Physics (IICHEP) at Vadapazhanji, near here, has completed research and development activities for the construction of a particle detector in the Neutrino Observatory (INO) coming up in a cavern in the Bodi hills in Theni district.
Though pre-project work was progressing well both in Madurai and in Theni, the construction of the main observatory in a cavern would begin only after clearance given by the Union Cabinet, INO Project Director Naba K. Mondal told The Hindu on Friday. “The clearance is expected soon.”
Mr. Mondal said a 66-acre site was identified at Pottipuram in Theni district for establishing ground facilities at the entrance to a two-km-long tunnel to be dug under the hills for establishing the observatory. The site had now been fenced and pipelines for supplying water to the site had been laid for construction work to begin.
Simultaneously, the IICHEP, functioning from a rented building, was carrying out research and development activities with respect to over 30,000 particle detectors required for the observatory and other allied facilities. “All parameters of the detector have been determined. Now, we have to start industrial production of the detectors and associated front-end electronics,” he added.
S. Stephen Inbanathan of American College, one of the collaborators for the project here, said the construction of a compound wall was completed around 33 acres of land, earmarked for establishing state-of-the-art facilities for the IICHEP. “Construction of buildings would commence soon, and the facility would serve as a research hub for particle physics.”
The INO is a collaborative project of 22 reputed science institutions in the country and is backed by the Departments of Atomic Energy and Science and Technology. The pre-project work started after an initial grant of Rs.83 crore sanctioned by the Centre last year.
