The Left parties, which are strongly opposed to the proposed atomic power plant at Kovvada in Ranasthalam mandal, on Sunday alleged that the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Private Limited (NPCIL) had not obtained the mandatory site clearance certificate from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
CPI (M) State Secretariat Member Ch. Narasinga Rao, CPI (M) Srikakulam unit Secretary Bhaviri Krishna Murthy and others said that AERB’s prior approval of site clearance was a must before taking up the land acquisition process in the identified villages. CPI (M) members visited various villages including Kovvada, Kotapalem, Ramachandrapuram and other areas and sought the opinions of locals. “We have written to the AERB to clarify, whether or not the NPCIL has obtained the permission for the construction of the nuclear power project in the district. We will not allow land acquisition process at the ground level, unless the NPCIL make the site clearance certificate public,” said Mr. Narasinga Rao.