Centre should drop Neutrino project: MK Stalin

Chennai: The BJP government at the Centre should immediately drop the Neutrino observatory project in Theni district of Tamil Nadu, which is being vehemently opposed by the people of the state, particularly in Theni district for its radioactive hazards, the DMK president M K Stalin, strongly urged on Friday.

Expressing shock at a reported "unilateral announcement" by the Union minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space development, Mr Jeetendra Singh that the Centre has given the permission for the 'Neutrino project' in Theni district, Mr Stalin in a statement here said the move was "highly condemnable" as there were pending cases against the project in the High court and before the Green Tribunal.

Mr Stalin said the people of Theni district have been opposing and agitating against the project for long years. During the earlier DMK regime when the proposal came up, he said his party did not take any further steps then as a public hearing saw serious objections to the project raised by the people.

But the subsequent AIADMK government had even allotted two parcels of land for the project, Stalin said, adding, he had himself flagged off a protest 'yatra' against the project by MDMK leader Vaiko from Madurai.

Referring to the serious environmental and health consequences the project if implemented would have on the people, Mr Stalin asked whether the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board had also cleared the project. He appealed to the Chief Minister, Mr Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister, O Pannerselvam, who hails from Theni, to pressure the Centre to drop the project. Or else, the government may have to face the people's wrath and a massive agitation, he said.