From Rajiv-Gorbachev to Modi-Putin
Ex-chief of Atomic Energy Commission tells DC about KKNPP's growth from genesis.
Ooty: While the dedication of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Unit-1 (KKNPP) on Wednesday turned out be an historical event, Dr M.R. Srinivasan, former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India, narrated his experience in the project since its conception, site selection and the safety aspects of KKNPP.
Dr Srinivasan, watching the dedication of the KKNPP unit-1 on TV at his residence here, said that he was the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India when the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the then USSR President Mr Mikhail Gorbachev inked the agreement way back in November 1988 at New Delhi.
Talking to Deccan Chronicle on KKNPP, Dr Srinivasan said the process begun in 1984 and it was decided to set up the plant in Tamil Nadu to spur industrial growth and related energy needs to help Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.
“I was very much involved in the site selection. Kudankulam was selected as it was found to be geographically suitable and its seismic profile too was good. It was close to the sea that was conducive for transportation of heavy machineries from Russia. Also, there was not many people around there and hence there was no need for mass relocation,” he said.
However, the project failed to progress for nearly a decade as USSR
collapsed and India too encountered a sort economic crisis during the
early 90s, he said.
“This project was given a re-look in 1997. At that time, I was a member of Planning Commission of India. I played a role in reviving the project. Steps were taken to incorporate safety aspects,” he said. India’s nuclear energy programme is five decades old and there is no need to worry about safety aspects. Nuclear energy is clean energy as it can gradually bring down the needs on coal based thermal energy that is emitting carbon. KKNPP is established with advanced technology and more safety aspects.
With this India and Russia can go for more such plants as sufficient energy is needed for industrial and economic development too, he added.