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Kovvada plant caught in web of protests
Backed by the anti-nuclear plant advocates a section of locals have been creating hurdles for the land survey undertaken by the district administration. The Left parties organised public awareness campaigns in the affected villages like, Ramachandrapuram, Gudem, Kotapalem, Tekkali and Jeeru Kovvada. The plant is
Srikakulam: Kovvada, a small, nondescript village tucked away on the sea coast under Ranasthalam mandal in Srikakulam district, has unwittingly triggered an intense debate on use and misuse of nuclear power, ever since the Department of Atomic Energy has proposed to set up a nuclear power plant in the area in 2009.Incidentally, the inhabitants of the village; fishermen, farmers and daily wage labourers, remain silent spectators to the polemics with little knowledge of the intricacies involved in the mega project. Some sections owing allegiance to the Left parties and civil society organisations are bent upon stalling the project by highlighting the worst-ever nuclear disasters.
Backed by the anti-nuclear plant advocates a section of locals have been creating hurdles for the land survey undertaken by the district administration. The Left parties organised public awareness campaigns in the affected villages like, Ramachandrapuram, Gudem, Kotapalem, Tekkali and Jeeru Kovvada. The plant is expected to displace around 8,000 people from these villages.“It is not the question of displacement which is a cause for concern, but the hidden danger of deadly disasters that the nuclear plant may bring in,” cautions A Gopalakrishna former chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
Speaking at a programme in Visakhapatnam, recently, he warned that that at least 14,000 people could be killed, if even a minute percentage of plutonium from the spent fuel was leaked into atmosphere. He wanted the government to explain the steps taken to process the spent fuel and how it plans to handle 1,500 tonnes of nuclear waste.
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), an arm of the Department of Atomic Energy, proposed to start NPP with 6,600 mw power generation in five years by installing six nuclear reactors with a capacity of 1,100 mw each. The total estimated investment is Rs 2.5 lakh crore. Srikakulam RDO B Dayanidhi and special deputy collector (SDC) for land acquisition J Sitharama Rao said that social impact assessment survey in NPP affected villages was completed and a report would be submitted to government soon.
Out of the total volume of power generated in the plant, the State will receive 50 per cent as its share. The remaining power will be supplied to power grid. We will install two reactors initially and remaining four will be put to use in five years and it is a big boost for power sector,” they remarked Speaking to The Hans India director of NPP G Venkata Ramesh opined that nuclear power has become sin qua non in view of many impediments in utilising thermal and hydel sources.
However, EAS Sarma former secretary of the Energy Department expressed serious safety concerns. “Kovvada falls under earthquake zone. Site selection committee (SSC) appointed by Central government suggested NPCIL to conduct a study on the prospects of setting up the plant within 300 km radius from Kovvada. But the crucial recommendation was ignored,” he charged.P Sivaji Rao, an activist from Visakhapatnam said safety concerns could not be undermined on the premise that power is essential.
