Chennai:
Amid the stand-off on the Koodankulam nuclear project, former President A P J Abdul Kalam has warned that delay in resolving the crisis would lead to "more anti-nuclear energy sentiments" and urged the Prime Minister to resolve the issue "politically and strategically at the earliest".
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Kalam, a strong advocate of nuclear energy, said it was essential to take up the issue with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to revive the operations of the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant with the "full support of the state government at the earliest".
"I hope your immediate intervention will bring a win-win settlement at the earliest and enable operationalisation of Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant at the earliest which is vital for Tamil Nadu and other states", he said.
To meet the present power crisis in Tamil Nadu, the Centre may also consider allotment of the full 1,000 Mega Watt power generated from Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant Unit-I, which could be later adjusted towards Tamil Nadu's share in Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant Unit-II to the rest of the country, Kalam said in his letter.
The former President said despite the sound safety principles on which, Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant has been established, there was continuing agitation in that area and the state government wanted more to be done to allay the local people's fears.
"I feel the more we delay in resolving the Koodankulam crisis, the more anti-nuclear energy sentiments in India will gain momentum. Hence, it is essential to resolve this issue politically and strategically at the earliest", he said.