New Delhi:
The Prime Minister has indicated today that while the concerns of those who live near the nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu will be addressed in detail, the plans for the plant cannot be suspended. PTI says he wrote to the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today requesting, "I count on your support in ensuring the timely implementation of the Kudankulam project."
Dr Manmohan Singh also met today with members of different political parties and activists who are opposed to the nuclear power plant that's almost ready in this coastal district of Tamil Nadu.
Residents of the villages in and around Kudankulam have been asking that work at the plant be suspended because they are worried about safety. They say the nuclear disaster in Fukushima has unnerved them. Various expert agencies and the union government have guaranteed that the plant -which is designed to generate more nuclear power than anywhere else in India - meets international safety standards. The Prime Minister also ensured the delegation that all nuclear safety concerns would be attended to.
The first of the two reactors at the plant was originally scheduled to start functioning alter this month. The nuclear plant is being built for nearly 13,000 crore rupees and is expected to help solve Tamil Nadu's considerable power problems.
However, the Tamil Nadu cabinet last month passed a resolution asking the PM to intervene; Jayalalithaa says that till the villagers are convinced they are safe, no further activity should take place at the Kudankulam plant.
The PM has not agreed to this. What is described as "maintenance work" will continue, said an MP who attended the meeting. But a panel of experts will be set up to interact with residents. Last month, as more than 10,000 villagers led protests outside the plant, Union Minister V Narayanasamy toured the area and gauged local mood. He then briefed the Prime Minister.
(With PTI inputs)