'Nuclear-Power states to follow strict protocol during emergency'

Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced three major schemes worth over ₹8,000 crore for disaster management. He asked states where nuclear power installations are being installed to follow strict protocol in the case of any emergency.

Addressing a meeting of the ministers of disaster management of states and Union Territories at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Shah said: "About ₹5,000 crore assistance will be given to all states for modernisation and expansion of fire brigade services. To mitigate the danger of floods in urban areas, in seven major cities - Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune - ₹2,500 crore will be given... To deal with landslides in 17 states, almost ₹825 crore will be given."

After the meeting, Shah said: In the last nine years, the central govt and states have achieved a lot in this area. But we can't stay content because disasters have changed their form and their frequency and intensity have increased. We will have to do more extensive planning."


NDMA has visited the seven nuclear power plant sites and strict protocols have been sent to states to rescue people in case of any emergency, the ministry said in a statement. "Shah told ministers to make it their priority and make all necessary arrangements related to the disaster there, even before the nuclear power plant becomes active,"it added.