Kundankulam is Safe.... Supreme Court gives green for the Nuclear plant

Something happy and significant for the Nation…. Today, the Supreme Court has given a go-ahead for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu, observing that it has been set up by the government for the welfare of the people and for sustainable growth.  Kudankulam has been in news for long… the construction started in Mar 2002; yet to see the light…

In this democracy, little groups think ‘might is right’ and would say that people’s will should prevail over everything else… but matters of serious significance,  small groups would challenge the Govt and administrators raising objections on everything. There were indications of some sinister designs….. the Govt went on record that there is some foreign funding and vested interest but took no action.  The protesters were allowed to hold their sway; they challenged and stopped even Scientists from entering the Plant, a mystery !! Half a century ago, this place – Kudankulam lying in Tirunelveli district was an obscure place, not known to the rest of India.  It gained prominence after the Nuclear Power station - Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP)  coming up over there.  A Plant of such strategic importance and magnitude did not spring up overnight.    It was signed by the then PM Rajiv Gandhi  and  Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev   on  November 20, 1988  after being conceived in mid 1980s. 

When the Plant was nearing its final stages, concerted protests came to light claiming that  it is not safe; a group hitherto unknown calling itself - voluntary People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy sprung into action stalled the movement of staff and scientists.  They protests stating that the plant is unsafe and its head had the audacity to question the veracity and knowledge of beloved Dr APJ Abdul Kalam –  the Q whether Dr APJ is a Nuclear Scientist does not deserve to be answered for the simple fact that Kalam certainly knows better than you, me and the protesters and certainly has more concern for the Nation than all of us.  

Today, [6^th April 2013], in a relief for the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government, the Supreme Court on Monday approved the commissioning of the controversial Kudankulam nuclear plant. Kudankulam plant is safe and secure and it is necessary for larger public interest and economic growth of the country, the SC said. "Nuclear power plants are needed in the country for the present and future generations," observed the apex bench. “Kudankulam plant is safe and secure and it is necessary for larger public interest and economic growth of the country,” the court said.

The apex court said that the Kudankulam N-plant has been set up by the government for the welfare of the people. A bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra, which had reserved the verdict following marathon arguments in the last three months, delivered the judgement. The bench had reserved the verdict following marathon arguments in the last three months.  A batch of petitions had  been  filed by anti-nuclear activists challenging the project on the ground that safety measures recommended for the plant by an expert body have not been put in place. The bench, on the first date of hearing on September 13 last, had refused to stay the loading of fuel for the plant but had agreed to examine the risk associated with the project, saying the safety of people in its vicinity is its key concern.

Today, the Apex Court observed that development of nuclear energy is important for India and allowing the plant is in larger public interest. It said all expert bodies were of unanimous opinion that adequate safety measures had been taken. The petitioners had opposed the plant's operationalisation arguing many of the 17 additional safety measures prescribed by a government task force had not been put in place. The Centre has said 15 of those mostly enhanced safety features have been implemented and the rest will be in due course.

There could be perceptions of dangers, safety measures sure need to be in place… one would not sure remain at home, just because travelling in a road is risky and one could be exposed to accidents.  Hail the decision of Apex Court and let us expect that this augments power position helping in reduced power cuts

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.

6^th May 2013.