NPCIL to submit technical details to MoEF before starting work
With the first two units of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) coming close to the stage of commissioning, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has received the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for starting work on the next four units (KKNPP units 3-6).
The NPCIL has to submit a schematic diagram of its outfall and technical details to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) before commencing the work.
Discussing the issue of CRZ clearance at length, the Expert Appraisal Committee of the MoEF has also asked NPCIL to carry out regular monitoring at the outfall point, especially for temperature and marine life quality.
It must also monitor all physical, chemical and biological parameters, including radioactivity, regularly. Asking for strict compliance with these three conditions, the expert appraisal committee for construction, CRZ and infrastructure development, at its 112 meeting on May 10, recommended the proposal for nuclear power plant units 3-6 for CRZ clearance.
For NPCIL, the long wait has come to an end. It obtained environmental clearance under EIA notification 2006 from MoEF in September 2008 for KKNPP 3 and 4 and in December 2009 for units 5 and 6.
The Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management authority recommended grant of CRZ clearance to KKNPP 3-6 in December 2010.
KKNPP units 3-6, each of 1000 MW, are similar in design and located adjacent to units 1 and 2, which are in commissioning stage.
Having obtained CRZ clearance, the NPCIL, which has already got Union Cabinet nod for the construction of units 3 and 4, can now initiate techno-commercial negotiations with its Russian counterpart.
Sayeed, India has been subject to a nuclear technology denial regime ever since we tested out nuclear device in 1974. Despite that our scientists have made commendable progress. The 3 stage nuclear program envisaged by Homi Bhabha is very much alive. The PFBR coming up in Kalpakkam (to go critical by 2013) is the second stage of that.
Great news indeed. And another egg on the face of the anti nuclear PMANE.
And Japan will only reduce the dependence of nuclear power to 15% by 2030. There are no plans to shut down all plants. Germany after shutting down int plants is going to buy nuclear power from France!
US, China and South Korea are building reactors.
It is important to focus on safety but at the same time one must not get influenced by the doomsday tendencies of PMANE.
Nuclear power is here to stay!
It is sad to hear about the govt’s sanction for the units 3&4 at
Kudankulam. Note that there was no findings to expect a disaster
at Fukushima at the design stage. Fukushima taught the world that
the designs should withstand the unexpected calamity. India does
not learn any lesson from Fukushima.
Japan shut down all their nuclear plants. Germany decided to phase
out Nplants. Italy decided against nuclear by a referendum. The
two recent US approvals after a gap of 30 years, are under
litigation.
Did India think of the availability of Uranium throughout its
life? There will be back door lobbying for Uranium when it gets
depleted. Or are we jumping in for a Uranium war?
india became the nuclear country.. but it is still dependent of the other countries for the technology.. it is very sad... so much of our scientist in nuclear department are still not that much effective for commencing their work by own..
Energy, independent of foreign control, and plenty of it, is the single most important commodity that will lift India out of poverty and into progress and plenty. As such all inimical forces within the country that attempt to thwart the development of the energy program should be dealt with as an attack on the sovereignty of India. No quarters must be given and the punishment must be swift and harsh.
Great news, looking forward to successful commissioning and safe operation, with lots of electricity generation for TN, of both current 2 units as well as future 4 units.
Brilliant work, congratulations to our scientists and engineers. Very pleased to know this happy news. We must not continue living in the stone ages and move into the modern era of science and knowledge confidently and securely. TN is energy deficient and building and commissioning several more such good projects is the only way forward. The detractors (ignorant, unscientific, foreign-paid vested interests) must be ignored and KKNPP must be commissioned with full capacity immediately. The other 4 new units must also be commissioned with full capacity as soon as possible.
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