Hyderabad: Minister of state for personnel, public grievances and PMO Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday told the Rajya Sabha that one of the two nuclear reactors of US firm Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC), which were initially planned to be installed at Chhaya Mithi Virdi site in Gujarat, will now be planted at Kovvada in AP. This was in reply to a question by YSRC MP V. Vijay Sai Reddy.
However, he said Chhaya Mithi Virdi site continues to be designated for setting up nuclear power reactors in technical cooperation with the US. He denied the allegation that the nuclear power plant has not be-en shifted away from Gujarat.
“Chhaya Mithi Virdi was one among the four new coastal sites accorded ‘in principle’ approval for setting up nuclear power plants with foreign technical cooperation. The site at Chhaya Mithi Virdi has not been abandoned. There have been protests by some sections of the local people against setting up of nuclear power plant at the site,” said Mr Singh.
He said, “The government has revised the ‘in principle’ approval of the site at Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh for setting up nuclear power stations of 6,000 MW to 7,248 MW. Accordingly, fresh Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) studies as per the guidelines and approved Terms of Reference of the Ministry of Environment are being carried out. Public hearing is a part of the process of obtaining environmental clearance for the project.
“Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is sensitive to the needs and sentiments of the local people in its neighbourhood. It carries out neighbourhood welfare activities in the areas of healthcare, education & skill development, infrastructure and environment.
“In respect of rehabilitation of the Project Affected Persons, NPCIL funds the rehabilitation package formulated by the state government. Public Awareness activities to spread awareness about nuclear power and the project in a simple and credible manner are carried out by NPCIL, as an on-going programme.”
