The NPL also plans to construct a separate building that

can accommodate 18-20 atomic clocks and a data centre. This will alone cost Rs 500-600 crore.

"This requires a different kind of building free from any kind of vibration, electro-magnetic disturbances, radiation, humidity and temperature," said Vijay Narain Ojha, chief scientist and head of Time & Frequency and Electrical & Electronics Meteorology Division.

The upkeep of the existing system is also expensive. The atomic clock requires low temperature without any power fluctuation.

"So, air-conditioners have to be in operation for 365 days a year and 24x7. Maintenance and research also adds to the cost," Ashish Agarwal, another scientist at in the time and frequency section, said.

Apart from atomic clock, NPL also assists industries, national and other agencies in their developmental tasks by providing precision measurements, calibration, development of devices, processes, and other allied problems related to physics.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)