Which one among the following is nearest to Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research ?

The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) is a premier nuclear research facility located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu [c1][t4]. Established in 1971, it is situated approximately 80 km south of Chennai [t7]. Among the given options, Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram) is the nearest town to Kalpakkam, located just about 10-15 km away [t1][t3]. In contrast, Chidambaram is located much further south in the Cuddalore district [c3][t5], while Tanjavur and Madurai are major cities in central and southern Tamil Nadu, respectively, situated hundreds of kilometers away from the Kalpakkam-Mahabalipuram coastal stretch. IGCAR's proximity to Mahabalipuram is a well-known geographical fact in the context of India's Department of Atomic Energy establishments [t1][t10].

Sources

1. [1] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Mineral and Energy Resources > Nuclear Energy Resources > p. 61
2. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Veeranam Lake > p. 31
3. [3] https://www.igcar.gov.in/
4. [4] https://www.igcar.gov.in/igcarprofile.html
5. [5] https://cca.gov.in/IGCAR.html