Jayalalithaa okays Kudankulam nuclear power plant a day after by-poll

NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday gave the green signal for resuming work on the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, which had been stalled for months amid protests over safety concerns. The decision came a day after the by-poll to the Sankarankoil assembly seat in Tirunelveli district, where the plant is located.

To mollify the agitators, the government also announced a Rs 500-crore special development package for the area to construct houses, build cold storage facility for fishermen and laying of roads.

At the same time, five key functionaries of the anti-nuclear plant movement were arrested. People from Idindhakarai village blocked the entrance of the plant demanding release of those arrested.

In a statement, Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa said immediate steps will be taken for the speedy commissioning of the Indo-Russian joint venture. The decision comes as a big respite to not only power-starved Tamil Nadu, but also the central government which has been keen on successful completion of the project.

Last month, the Russian Ambassador to India, Alexander Kadakin voiced his country's frustration over the delays. “We cannot allow our scientists to remain idle endlessly. For months together, they are without work,” he said.

At its meeting on Monday, the state Cabinet accepted the findings of the report submitted by the state-appointed experts' committee headed by former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, MR Srinivasan.

“The government studied the reports of various expert panels and has come to the conclusion that the plant is safe. We are of the opinion that there is no chance of a massive earthquake or tsunami occurring there,” Jayalalithaa said.

The first two units of KNPP, capable of producing 1000 MW each, are almost complete. As on January 2012, work on 99% of the first unit and 94.6% of the second was complete.