No nuclear accident in India's 21 plants in 2014-15

There was no report of major radiologicial discharge at any of the 21 nuclear power plants in India during 2014-15. These plants have a combined capacity of 5,780-Mw. However, two fatalities were reported last year - one at Rajasthan units 7 and 8 due to fall of an object and the other at Rajasthan units 1 and 2, revealed 2014-15 annual report of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

The report released last week said the radiation doses to occupational workers were well below the annual dose limit of 30 millisieverts (mSv) prescribed by AERB. The mSv is a measure of the absorption of radiation by the human body.

Besides, the liquid and gaseous radioactive effluents discharged to the environment were a small fraction of the limited prescribed and the effective dose to public around the plant sites was only a small percentage of the annual limit of 1 mSv prescribed by AERB.

The nuclear regulator conducted inspections at all 115 units in 21 plants with respect to radiological, industrial and fire safety aspects. These inspections were focused on implementation of various safety management systems related to the construction activities and compliance to the AERB directives on construction safety.

AERB said 35 events having no safety significance and minor problems in components were reported in the nuclear power plants.

AERB Secretary Hari Kumar told Business Standard: "'These 35 events were minor equipment malfunctioning and anomalies. These events were reviewed by AERB through regulatory review mechanism. Events with no safety significance are rated as level 0 or below scale.''

Further, all nuclear power plants following the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011 have taken short-term and medium-term safety measures and upgrades. These plants are also in the midst of implementation of long-term measures comprising research and development studies and procurement of equipment and erection.