Work begins for unit 3 of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

The NPCIL today put the 'first pour of concrete' for unit three of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), marking the commencement of construction work with a deadline.
The project, being built with Russian collaboration, is expected to be completed in 73 months.
The total cost of units three and four -- each with a capacity of 1000 MW -- is more than Rs 39,894 crore.
A Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) official said the 'first pour of concrete' means the project will now have a deadline.
"This moment - the pouring of first concrete - marks the starting point of the NPP power units construction period that is defined in the contractual obligations.

"This event marks the commencement of full-scale construction, thermal and electrical erection works at the NPP site and the installation of Russian equipment there," said ASE Engineering Company JSC, vice-president for nuclear projects in South Asia, Andrey Lebedev.

ASE Engineering Company JSC is a part of Rostam, the Russian counterpart of India's Department of Atomic Energy.
On June 19, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), the nuclear watchdog in the country, granted a permit to the NPCIL for 'pouring of first concrete' for units three and four.
On June 1 in Saint Petersburg, Russia's ASE Group of Companies and Nuclear Power Corporation of India signed General Framework Agreement for the construction of Kudankulam nuclear power plant units fifth and sixth.