The commercial operation of the controversial Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) has been delayed further and is expected to commence next month.
The 1,000 MW first unit of the Indo-Russian project, which had been delayed following anti-nuclear protests, was expected to start operations in February, the Nuclear Power Corporation Limited (NPCIL) said.
The first unit has achieved 99.7% physical progress as on December.
Similarly, the second unit designed to produce another 1,000 MW has been pushed to September this year.
Atomic Energy Commission chairman Ratan Kumar Sinha said the first unit would be commissioned this month.
"Within this month 100%," he said.
The plant, being built with Russian reactors, has already missed several deadlines since it was originally scheduled for starting operations in December 2011.
The over 500-day long protest against the plant, spearheaded by People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy, citing safety concerns has largely contributed to the delay in the commissioning of the plant.
