ASSOCHAM PR department August 23, 2013 Extremely important to reduce time-frame for setting up nuclear power plant: V. Narayanasamy Reactors at nuclear power plant in Haryana to be set up through indigenous technology The time-frame for setting up nuclear power plant needs to be reduced significantly, Mr V. Naryanasamy, minister of state, Prime Minister’s office, personnel, public grievances, pensions and Parliamentary affairs said at an ASSOCHAM event held in New Delhi today. “This is very-very important because when I was closely interacting with scientists I came to know that 17 permissions are required for setting up one nuclear power plant,” said Mr Narayanasamy while inaugurating the 5th International Conference on Nuclear Energy organized by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India. “The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is very-very meticulous as they camp there and see every aspect of the plants and then give permissions only after being fully satisfied as there was some hue and cry raised by certain NGOs (non-government organizations) and civil society organizations that AERB is not an independent body and is under the government’s control,” said Mr Narayanasamy. “To allay their fears we’ve introduced a bill in the Parliament, ‘Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill,’ which is slated for discussion, it would be an independent body without government control and they can independently assess safety of the nuclear power plant.” Sharing the information about nuclear power plant site in Haryana, Mr Narayanasamy said, “I had got an important information from member of Parliament from Haryana that land has been identified and acquired and now they are going to have the program and as far as Haryana is concerned through indigenous technology we are going to have reactors there.” He further informed that some Japanese NGOs went to the nuclear power plant site and said that nuclear plant should not be set up there but the local people did not allow to enter them as slowly awareness is spreading amid people and they want nuclear power plant to be set up in their area. “Since the safety related information about nuclear plants has not been given to the people some NGOs which have been funded by foreign countries are spreading wrong information.” Seeking the support of industry in this behalf, Mr Narayanasamy said, “There is a need to educate people about safety of nuclear power plants and I want the industry to convey this message to the people that it is going to help in vast development of the region as India needs nuclear energy and it will be the future of this country.” Calling upon the private sector to enter the nuclear energy sector, Mr Narayanasamy, said, “Private sector has been our major partner in building the reactors in India as they have been preparing building and walls for the purpose of keeping reactors there and we want more of the private sector players to come into this field.” Reiterating government’s stand on nuclear power, the minister said, “I’d like to assure that our commitment for nuclear power program is unassailable and we’ll overcome any hurdle that comes up in setting up nuclear power plants in our country as India is going to be one of the most important countries in heading the power capacity through nuclear power plants.” He further said that Kalpakkam nuclear power plant which has been under construction about 97 per cent work is over, now the experiments have been completed, we’re going to commission that in 2014 which will help us in a big way for the purpose of using thorium which is abundantly available in India because about 1.07 million capacity is available in our country. Talking about the Kundanakulam nuclear power plant, he informed that within next 6-7 days, 1st plant will be approved and about 400 MW production will be coming which will be given in the grid and by the end of October we’ll be able to achieve 1,000 MW capacity there. On the 2nd plant 97 per cent work has been done and we are aiming to have it in March 2014. Other two nuclear power plants we’ve signed with Russia and we’re going to be setting up the plant 3 and 4 there. Therefore, our nuclear program will go on. Amid others who addressed the ASSOCHAM conference included: Dr R.K. Sinha, secretary, Department of Atomic Energy; Mr S.S. Bajaj, chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board; Mr Joon-gyu Lee, South Korean ambassador; Mr M.V. Kotwal, president (heavy engineering), L&T and Mr Anil Agarwal, past-president, ASSOCHAM. (ASSOCHAM)
Posted on: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 19:02:27 +0000
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