The government is committed to the further development of nuclear energy in view of the rising oil prices and the need to develop the energy basket, said Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, after laying the foundation stone of 1500 mw Pragati Phase III Power Project at Bawana in Delhi today.

The Rs4,000-crore gas-based project is an environment friendly Pragati Power Project is expected to meet the power required for Delhi to host the Commonwealth Games.

He said BHEL and NTPC would begin work on this project immediately and ensure its completion in time for the Commonwealth Games.

Dr Singh pointed out that with the economy growing at 8 per cent to 9 per cent per annum, it was essential for the country to widen its energy basket to ensure energy security.

''At the same time, we must also further develop our nuclear energy potential. Our government is committed to further development of nuclear energy both as an environment-friendly source of power and as a means of widening the energy basket available to us.'' he said.

The government's strategy for energy security was a multi-pronged one. ''We do not have the luxury of depending on only one or two sources. While some sources of energy may be cheap today, we have to think for the future, Dr Singh said.

While some sources of energy may be cheap today, he said, the country had to think for the future.

''I am happy that a power project associated with the games is based on liquefied natural gas,'' he said. ''This is an environment friendly project. It will help us in controlling the problem of pollution in Delhi,'' he said.

He said that in recent years the use of natural gas as a new energy source had been expanded.

Dr Singh said, ''I am also happy to learn that another gas-based power station is to be set up at Bamnauli in south west Delhi. This is our commitment to protecting our environment and addressing the challenge of climate change.''

Increasing the supply of energy was one way of dealing with energy shortage in the country. ''A second way is to improve energy efficiency,'' he said urging citizens in general and those in Delhi in particular to improve energy efficiency.

Dr Singh also called upon the young to spearhead a campaign for power conservation by thinking of new ways to deal with some of the energy problems. He also expressed the hope that the construction technologies being used for the Commonwealth Games would be resource-efficient and energy-efficient.

(See full text of Dr Manmohan Singh's speech on energy security at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Bawana power project)