HC asks petitioner to do more homework on Jaitapur N project

Division bench of Justices D D Sinha and Vijaya Kapse-Tahilramani asked the petitioner Hemant Patil to carry out a proper research on the project before filing a fresh petition, instead of citing general concerns on public health and safety.

Contending that the project would pose environmental and radiation-related threats to the locals, the petition had demanded an independent commission to study it. It had also sought a court-appointed officer to ascertain possible impact on the environment.

JNPP, a 9,000 MW project proposed to come up in Madban-Jaitapur in Ratnagiri district, is facing a stiff opposition from the locals, some NGOs and political parties including Shiv Sena and the Left.

The PIL had pleaded that till the matter was heard, Nuclear Power Corporation of India and French company Areva be restrained from proceeding with the project.