Kudankulam plant can withstand Fukushima-type incident: Govt

mangaloretoday.com/ NDTV

New Delhi, Sept 27: The Centre today told the Supreme Court that the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu can withstand Fukushima-type incident. It also assured the court that that all mandatory clearances and licences have been taken for the plant from relevant authorities.

"All safety measures are in place. Even if a Fukushima type of incident were to occur, Kudankulam is fully equipped to withstand any such unlikely event," the Centre said in its affidavit.

 

The Supreme Court was hearing an appeal against the Madras High court order which allowed fuel loading at the plant.  The court gave its green signal to operationalise the plant despite big protests for months by thousands of villagers and activists who have said that they are not convinced that the plant is safe. They are also worried about ecological damage by radioactivity which would affect the livelihood of thousands of fishermen around the plant.

Opposing the commissioning of the plant, senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan said in the court today that several changes have been made in the plant after a clearance was given to the plant in 1989 and hence a fresh environment impact assessment must be done. 

"It is a serious matter and we are taking it seriously. Everyone is concerned with the safety of the people around the plant," the court said today. It will next hear the arguments on November 4.

Commissioning of the first unit at the atomic plant was cleared by a recent inspection conducted by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

Will stop Kudankulam plant if safety measures not met: SC tells Centre

 

The Supreme Court has expressed concerns over environment and safety aspects of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. The apex court has told the Centre that it will stop the Nuclear plant if the environment and safety measures are not met.