SC order vindicates our stand that Kudankulam project is safe: NPC

Says project likely to go critical by end of May, to start generation in next 25 days

State-run Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) has welcomed the Supreme Court’s green signal for the Kudankulam nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu.

Site director R Sundar told Business Standard, “The apex court’s order has vindicated our stand that the project is safe and secured. The order has also upheld the judgement delivered earlier by the Madras High Court, which cleared the project, and also the recommendations of the review committees appointed by the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government. Today’s order is certainly a morale booster for the workforce working quite hard for the completion of project.”

Sundar said that NPC will prove to the nation that the Kudankulam project is quite safe and secured.

“I appeal to the people in the neighbourhood to carefully read the orders of the Supreme Court, the High Court and also the review committee reports and come on board in the larger interest of the nation. NPC is trying its level best in a small way to add to the country’s power capacity,” he said.

Sundar admitted that the agitations and protests launched by the local villagers and other organisations was quite painful.

"It was as if NPC was committing some sin. However, today’s order will further help NPC to enthuse confidence among the people in the neighbourhood and also boost the workforce,” he said.

Further, Sundar said that NPC is currently in the process of acquiring necessary clearances for the project.

"We hope the first phase of 1,000 MW to go critical by end of May. It will need another 25 days to start generation,” he informed.

The power project is being set up in Kudankulam, around 650 kilometres south of Chennai, with two Russian-made 1,000-MW nuclear reactors.