In the first stage, pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) run on uranium to generate electricity and produce plutonium. To what extent does the scale-up of PHWR capacity offer an opportunity for faster transition to thorium-based nuclear power generation? Transitioning to thorium-based nuclear power generation is critical to securing energy independence. We should prioritise development effort for futuristic technologies needed for our country (metal fuel reactors, molten salt reactors, high temperature reactors, thorium fuel cycles etc) and leverage proven imported technologies. These costs would come down with the use of enrichment in PHWR fuel.