Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone of the 2800 Megawatt Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (Nuclear Power Project) in Gorakhpur village of Fatehabad District of Haryana on Monday.
He was accompanied by Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia, and Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
Detailing the specifications of GHAVP, Dr. Singh said the first phase will see the commissioning of two units producing 1400 MWe of electricity.
The commissioning of the first phase will be completed by 2020-21. The second phase will start after that which will double the capacity tio full 2800 mw.
Dr. Singh said nuclear Energy is one of the safest and cleanest option for electricity.
He further said that India is among those few nations where technology to establish nuclear power projects has been developed.
"Today, we are capable of producing 4800 mw of power and in the coming ten years we will be able to produce more than 27,000 mw of electricity," Dr. Singh said.
Dr. Singh said: "This is a nuclear power project based on the indigenous technology developed by our scientists and we are proud of it. The technology being used in this project is very effective and duly tested. The types of reactors established here will also be commissioned in Kakrapar of Gujarat and Rawatbhata of Rajasthan. Also, the state of art and most advanced security measures will be enacted in this project."
He also emphasised on the international cooperation in coping with the energy requirements of country.
He said environmental concerns have already been addressed before approving this projects, He said no one will be displaced from his house while commissioning of this project. He also stated that persons giving their land for this project will be given an annual additional money for next 33 years in addition to compensation.
"Around eight to ten thousand persons are also expected to get employment during the first phase through contractual assignments," he said, and further expressed the hope that on completion and commissioning of all the four units of 700 mw each in this project , the energy needs of country, particularly Haryana, will be fulfilled."
The Prime Minister lauded the role of the NPCIL and the DAE authorities in the progress so far made.
The Gorakhpur Anu Vidyut Pariyajana (GHAVP-1 to 4) is being built at an estimated cost of Rs. 23, 500 crore. This will be the first nuclear power plant in Haryana and the 21st in the country.
The Haryana Government has provided 1319 acres of land for the project and nearly 186 acres for housing colonies of plant personnel and CISF personnel.
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Kummari Selja and Dr. Ashok Tanwar, MP from Sirsa were also present on the occasion.
