NEW DELHI:Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday assured a multi-party delegation from Tamil Nadu that a team of experts would be formed to allay safety concerns over the Kudankulam nuclear plant. He also sought support of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa for implementing the key atomic project.
Pushing for atomic power, Manmohan Singh wrote to Jayalalithaa: “For a large and fast growing economy like ours, and given the volatility and uncertainty of international energy markets, it is in our national interest that we tap all sources of energy, and diversify our energy mix.”
Assuring safety for the nuclear project, he said in his Oct 4 letter that “nuclear energy is one option to enhance our energy security. The central government will ensure that this is pursued with full regard to the safety, livelihood and security of the people.”
In the letter to Jayalalithaa, made public Friday, the prime minister listed out safety measures and clearances obtained for Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, in Tirunelvelli district, about 650 km from Chennai, and stressed that he counted on her support in its timely implementation.
The prime minister, an ardent advocate of nuclear energy, had sealed the Indo-US nuclear deal.
He stressed that the government “will not compromise on safety in the pursuit of our nuclear energy programme, whether it is in terms of technology, regulation, skilled manpower or emergency preparedness.”
Acknowledging “understandable concerns” expressed about nuclear safety after the Fukushima disaster in Japan, he assured Jayalalithaa that his government attached the “highest importance to ensuring that the use of nuclear energy in India meets the highest safety standards.”
He added that the government would “actively reach out to local populations at different nuclear power sites and to other sections of society to ally such fears”.
Similar assurances were made when a team from Tamil Nadu, comprising members from political parties, including the Congress, and activists, called on the prime minister here Friday to discuss their concerns over the safety aspects of the 1,000 MW nuclear power plant that is being built with Russia’s assistance.