The National Power Corporation of
India (NPCIL) is scouting for land in Andhra Pradesh to install a nuclear power
plant, following West Bengal government’s objections to set up the project in
state’s Haripur town. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre’s director Sekhar Basu
who is a board member of the NPCIL, said here today, “We are looking for a site
in some coastal area of Andhra Pradesh where a similar reactor, which was meant
for Haripur, will come up.” ”Talks are on with the state government for a
suitable site. Land has to be available,” Basu told reporters on the sidelines
of a program here.
In 2011, the state government had
scrapped the proposed 6,000 MW plant in East Midnapore district’s Haripur in
collaboration with Russia’s state-owned nuclear power equipment and service
giant Rosatom. Local farmers and fishermen, supported by a number of NGOs,
had launched an agitation against the project fearing eviction and loss of
livelihood.Basu, however, said if they get permission from the state and
Centre, then the project at Haripur will see the light of the
day. ”Haripur project is not closed down. If the West Bengal government
wants, we can start it anytime. There will be an investment of Rs 100,000
crore.
Not only West Bengal, but the
entire eastern India will not starve for power anymore if it happens,” the
Padma Shri awardee nuclear scientist said. He stressed that if we want a
GDP growth rate of about eight per cent every year, then the electricity supply
should also grow at the same rate. ”If such a big project comes, then
there will be no electricity problem. Nuclear is clean and green energy,” Basu
said, adding that nuclear will be the main source of energy in the future.
By: P.Satya
Siva Anil
Source:India
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