Kudankulam:
There's more reason for concern over the Rs 13,000-crore nuclear plant at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. Talks today between the state government and a panel of experts have reportedly failed. This means the stand-off between those in charge of running the plant and villagers who live nearby will continue. At stake is expensive equipment and the maintenance required to keep the plant's safety features intact.
"The expert committee was insensitive. They undermined public fear," said Pushparayan, a representative of the villagers who live in the coastal area of Kudankulam and are convinced that the plant is not safe.
Fishermen have also expressed concern over the plant contaminating the sea.
"Any fear is not based on scientific facts," said Dr. A E Muthunayagam, the convenor of the expert committee.
The panel of experts was deputed by the central government. They answered 50 questions put to them today. However, they said they would not address villagers directly- "Assessing the plant is not my job. We hope we will be able to explain that the plant will not be unsafe for them and it will not threaten their livelihood. We will not go to the communities to explain. The state government has given us a forum...and we will present (our version) to it only," said Dr. Muthunayagam, the convenor of the expert committee.
He stressed that after the disaster at the nuclear plant in Fukushima earlier this year, a special task force reassessed the Tamil Nadu plant.
The atomic plant was expected to provide respite from the power shortage that has become a staple feature in Tamil Nadu with many believing that it's adversely affecting the state's chances of development.
Two nuclear reactors were to start functioning within the next few months. But all timelines have sunk after protestors began blocking the main road leading to the plant, preventing staff engineers and others from getting to work.
The PM has assured Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa that no safety features will be compromised at the plant. He also urged her to support the project. International experts have signed off on the facilities, deeming them strong enough to withstand an earthquake or a tsunami.
Last week, however, the country's nuclear watchdog -the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board- suggested more security checks are needed at Kudankulam. In particular, the board wants a better system to prevent a power failure at the plant, and a larger supply of fresh water for emergency cooling.
"The Kudankulam plant has a sophisticated passive heat removal system," said Dr Muthunayagam. "The reactor is kept inside a double container ...even if there's no power, the reactor will shut down," he said.