THENI: Work on the ambitious Indian Neutrino Observatory (INO) project would commence near Pottipuram at Bodi West Hills in April, Naba K Mondal, Project Director of INO, said here on Saturday.
He was here for a site inspection along with V M Datar, Head of Nuclear Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. On the issue of the project securing environmental clearance, Mondal said the need for it would arise only after the green signal was obtained from all other agencies.
Speaking to Express, the Project Director disclosed that the Tamil Nadu government had granted 66 acres of land for the project free of cost. More than 20 research institutions and universities were involved in the research works connected with the INO. Students and scientists from various universities across the country would visit the research centre which would in turn motivate students here to gainfully engage in experimental science.
Stating that Muthumalai area was first chosen for the project, he said it was abandoned as the region was a reserved forest.
He denied the charge that the project would require clearing of green cover in a large area, Mondal said only babool (Acacia Nilotica) bushes would be removed to lay roads to provide connectivity to the project site.
According to him the neutrino observatory project would bring about development in the area.
On the development spin-offs, Datar said the INO project would place the nondescript Pottipuram village on the world map of science. Vehemently refuting the charge that the place would not be turned into a dumpyard for waste materials, he said every care would be taken to preserve and protect the ground water table.
Stephen Inbanathan, Collaborator of INO, said the project, besides being beneficial, would bring about a remarkable change in the area. He too assured that neutrino research would not affect the environment and ecology of the region.
Vaiko Seeks Chandy’s Support
Chennai/Madurai: MDMK leader Vaiko on Saturday met Kerala CM Oommen Chandy at Kochi and sought his support for preventing the INO project in Theni district stating that it would be detrimental to 21 dams in Idukki district and the 12,000 check dams in cardamom estates besides affecting the Western Ghats. Meanwhile, an impleading plea was filed by S Elango, claiming to be Secretary of Theni Mavatta Vivasyigal Nala Sangam, in Madurai HC Bench seeking to dismiss Vaiko’s petition against the project.