The nuclear establishment should seek to answer every question regarding the safety of the country's nuclear plants, and no question in this regard should be taken lightly, according to Baldev Raj, Director, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Energy (IGCAR), Kalpakkam.
Speaking to The Hindu here recently, Dr Raj answered questions in the light of the Fukushima radiation crisis in Japan that has caused global apprehensions about the safety of nuclear plants across the world.
Though India's track record on the safety of its nuclear plants was “excellent,” the Fukushima disaster has necessitated a thorough re-examination of the safety of nuclear reactors in India, he said.
Asked whether there would be any delay in the setting up of new reactors in India following the Fukushima experience, Dr. Raj said all these things would be analysed in detail in the next two months. There was a need to rope in all scientists, social scientists, medical and media. Public expectation might increase.
“It has to be communicated and everybody should feel convinced. No question [on any nuclear plant] is a wrong question. Every question is right. They would have to ask questions and we must be ready to even take them to the plant and show them how safe we are. We must not take any question lightly. Of course experts would examine about all perspectives.”
Scientists would review the entire issue with a view to preventing accidents and improving safety standards, Dr Raj said. The world, he said, had many lessons to learn from the Japan tsunami, which set off the radiation crisis.
Dr. Raj said the Prime Minister had asked for a review of the safety of all nuclear plants and the Department of Atomic Energy was looking at how the safety aspects could be improved.
When his attention was drawn to the 2004 tsunami which hit the coastlines, where most nuclear plants were located in India, Dr. Raj said, “After the tsunami hit Kalpakkam, we had invited experts all over the world and they also came from IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) in Vienna. We were able to put back our reactors within three days. I would say the Indian track record on nuclear energy is excellent. But whenever accidents happen, we have to be more alert.”
