 "No nuclear accident reported in India's 21 plants in 2014-15")
Functioning of 21 nuclear power plants with 5,780 MW capacity was accident free and there was no incident of major radiologicial discharge during 2014-15. However, two fatalities were reported last year one at Rajasthan units 7&8 due to fall of object and other at Rajasthan units 1&2 due to fall from height.
AERB in its annual report for 2014-15 released last week said the radiation doses to occupational workers were well below the annual dose limit of 30 mVs prescribed by the India's nuclear regulator Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
Besides, the liquid and gaseous radioactive effluents discharged to the environment were a small fraction of the limited prescribed and the effective dose to public around the plant sites was only a small percentage of the annual limit of 1 mSv prescribed by AERB. The nuclear regulator conducted in all 115 regulatory inspections in 21 plants with respect to radiological, industrial and fire safety aspects. These inspections were focused on implementation of various safety management systems related to the construction activities and compliance to the AERB Directives on construction safety.
AERB said 35 events having no safety significance and minor problems in components were reported in the nuclear power plants.
AERB secretary Hari Kumar told Business Standard ''These 35 events were minor equipment malfunctioning and anomalies. These events were reviewed by AERB through regulatory review mechanism. Events with no safety significance are rated as level 0 or below scale.''
Further, all nuclear power plants following the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011 have taken short term and medium term safety measures and upgrades. These plants are also in the midst of implementation of long term measures comprising research and development studies and procurement of equipment and erection. They will be complete by December 2016.