The former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on Friday supported a review of the country's nuclear facilities in the wake of the Japan crisis, even as his associate and former Atomic Energy Commission Chairman, Anil Kakodkar, stressed that there was no need for knee-jerk reaction.
On the sidelines of the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) convocation ceremony on Friday, Mr. Kalam said Japan's calamity called for a review of the existing and upcoming nuclear facilities in India.
“The government felt the need to review the nuclear and strategic locations in view of the developments in Japan,” he said.
Mr. Kalam's statement comes amid questions whether the proposed Jaitapur nuclear plant can withstand a high intensity earthquake followed by a tsunami.
Asked whether there was a need to review the conditions at the proposed Jaitapur plant, he said, “Though the technology in the forthcoming projects is latest, new conditions need to be set with reference to the new situation.”
Addressing journalists, Dr. Kakodkar said India could take many lessons from the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant. “But nothing should be a knee jerk reaction. There is no need for panic, yet we don't need to be complacent. We need to understand the causes at Fukushima and arrive at adequate safeguards for the existing and new plants in India.”
Potential different
The seismic potential in Japan and India were different. Understanding the situation in the Indian context was necessary. Though Japan's case was different, India needed to learn from every event. “The situation is indeed rare. It has occurred due to a cooling crisis at the Fukushima plant,” he added.
Keywords: Japan nuclear accident, Indian nuclear policy
All the new technologies guarantee the foolproof sysems. Yet there can be mistakes, this is the lesson one has to learn from the disaster that mutilated Japan. Let us listen to the advice by Dr.Kalam.
India should review the safety standards of the nuclear reactors.We learn from every incident.As the capacity of the reactor increases so does the risk.We are building reactors of larger capacity .This incident is the call for introspection.Wake up India!.At the same time give opportunities and appropriate technology training in the field of research and development for students in Engineering colleges(rather than showing placement records).I feel it will work.Set aside the politics.We can let the rest world to follow our innovations.Think India!
There should be more focus on alternate and 'clean' energy resources. And of course government should listen and act accordingly to what Kalam has to say on this matter. The same goes for all people of India.
One thing we know the nuclear plants need lots of water. Water is the most plentiful thing on earth. In an area that is totally earthquake prone America gave a technology that is self-defeating. why? Most worrisome is why so many nuclear reactors are in the same campus. Next time build reactors in osscilating structures above 50 feet mean sea level.
My experience in the competence scenario in Indian establishments is that we are living on false promises from the leadership.You can see the way people are promoted in government and PSUs.Only an unholy nexus between the producers and inspectors authorising the sale depict a positive picture.I am not a fool to believe our atomic energy establishment is not so, just by going through the statements of some officials holding high positions in relevant department!
I fully agree and support the views expressed by the learned former President with regard to review of nuclear and strategic facilities in the country. Whether the cause for review is due to seismic or tsunami in the wake of Japan's calamity, the relevant institutions of significant importance to the environment and humans must be equipped with implementable emergency preparedness and response programs. It is not necessary that only the natural factors can cause extensive damage, but there can be several technological and human factors which could trigger situations requiring prompt attendance and minimize or mitigate such incidents with periodical reviews and mock drills.
I hope the politicians and its puppet bureaucrats in this country may listen to the comments made by this genius for the betterment of everyone.
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