Centre to go ahead with Jaitapur plant, ensure greater safety

The UPA government on Tuesday said it would go ahead with the controversial nuclear power plant in Jaitapur, but ensure an additional standalone safety system.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said the locals, who were protesting against the project, will also be offered “generous” compensation. Chavan was here to attend a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to review the current status of the proposed Jaitapur plant along with India’s overall nuclear energy programme.

A decision has also been taken to introduce a bill in the next session of Parliament to create an autonomous nuclear regulatory body.

Reiterating that India’s energy needs are growing and nuclear energy is an important clean energy option, the government has said the project will be pursued “with full regard to safety, livelihood and security of the people.”

However, in the face of rising protests in Jaitapur, Chavan said all efforts will be made to engage the local community and a generous new compensation package will soon be announced. The compensation will be announced by the Nuclear Power Corporation (NPCIL) and the Government of Maharashtra.

Apart from raising questions on safety of the Jaitapur reactors in the backdrop of the nuclear disaster in Japan, locals were also demanding a proper compensation package.

At the meeting on Jaitapur, attended by representatives of the Department of Atomic Energy and NPCIL, the Prime Minister said there was a need for improving public communication on the part of these organisations.

After the meeting, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, Chavan, and Minister of State in the PMO V Narayanasamy told the reporters about the decisions taken in the meet.

During the press conference, Chavan said “there was no question of a pause," when asked about Ramesh calling for a “pause” on nuclear projects in the wake of the Fukushima disaster.

Ramesh was also prompt to clarify that he did not mean that all nuclear projects in the country should be put on hold when he said “pause.”

Nuclear power at present contributes about three per cent towards India’s energy needs, Ramesh said adding that it was an important clean energy option. Ramesh said the government plans to increase the contribution of nuclear energy to six per cent by 2020 and 13 per cent by 2030.

Addressing the long-standing demand of having a separate Atomic Regulatory body, the government said it would float an independent and autonomous Nuclear Regulatory Authority of India. The proposed regulator will subsume the existing Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

At present, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has functioned under the the department of atomic energy unlike most other regulatory bodies. Other security measures include, standalone safety mechanisms in the designs of the Jaitapur reactors which will avert cascading impact in case of a failure. DAE will invite the Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) of global nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, to assist in its own safety reviews and audits of nuclear power plants.

The government will also make public the findings of the six safety review committes set up by the government after the Fukushima accident.

Both Ramesh and Chavan critisised Shiv Sena for politicising the issue. Chavan said the agitataions in Jaitapur “are being instigated by outsiders”. The Chief Minister pointed out that detailed presentations had been made to all political parties and in the state assembly. “Political dialogue will continue.”

NPCIL said environmental approval for the Jaitapur Power Park was accorded in November 2010 and each of the 35 conditions stipulated as part of the clearance will be adhered to in a fully transparent manner.

The Jaitapur project will be implemented in a phased manner with two 1,650 Mw reactors to begin with.