KARWAR: Scientists, environmentalists and officials of the Kaiga Nuclear Power Generating Station held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the impact of Kaiga project on the people and the environment. The meeting which was organised at Yellapur by Zilla Samrakshana Samiti resolved to urge the Centre not to take up the construction of fifth and sixth units at Kaiga, unless the agencies appointed by the government and the National Medical Association conducted an independent health survey in the villages neighbouring the Kaiga project.
The meeting was presided over by the seer of Sonda Swarnavalli Mutt Gangadharendra Saraswati Swamiji, site director of Kaiga project J P Gupta, scientists and other project technicians.
While Kaiga officials claimed that there was no radiation from Kaiga, others pointed out the report on increasing cases of cancer and other diseases in the vicinity. J P Gupta said that the Tata Memorial Institute and Manipal KMC Hospital had been nominated by the government to conduct health studies which they have already commenced.
The Kaiga authorities were urged at the meeting to form a citizen’s review committee under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner to ensure public safety, as suggested by the Swamiji. They also disclosed the ways of disposing nuclear waste. On steps for relief to villagers suffering from cancer, Kaiga authorities said it should be decided by the government.
Minister Anand Asnotikar and Western Ghats Task Force chairman Ananth Hegde Ashisara too spoke.