Probe Nod to KKNPP Turbine Unit: Activists

TIRUNELVELI:  Demanding a probe into the ‘irregularities’ at the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) following the problem with  components of the turbine, a group of activists has urged the Prime Minister’s Office to unearth how such a ‘problematic’ unit secured safety, environmental and quality clearances from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). Such a move, they said, will instil confidence in the minds of public.

The solidarity group included Admiral L Ramdas, former Naval Chief, EAS Sarma, former Union Power secretary , Medha Patkar, National Alliance of People’s Movements, Aruna Roy, Social Activist, MKSS, Prof Achin Vanaik, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace, Nityanand Jayaraman, writer and social activist, and SP Udayakumar of PMANE. They demanded that units 3 and 4 be stopped, respecting local sentiment.

“We are extremely worried about the confirmed severe damage sustained by the KKNPP unit-1’s turbine before commercial operations. Information has been circulated that the turbine will be manufactured in India, which will not only entail a delay of two months but is yet another instance of prevarication. Replacing a turbine at a nuclear power plant will take a lot longer than two months. However, neither the Nuclear Power Corporation India Ltd nor its regulator, the AERB, has issued any statement in this regard,” said a statement by the group.