N-deal crisis no damper for NPCIL's Ganjam plant hopes

Even as the stand-off between the UPA and the Left continues over nuclear issues, the public sector Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is confident of going ahead with its proposed Rs 42,000 crore nuclear power plant at Patisonapur in the Ganjam district of Orissa, the work on which is expected to begin next year.

Though local protests over setting up the plant have already begun with social groups and activists thronging the roads against the venture, the Orissa government and NPCIL are firm in going ahead with the move.

The nuclear plant would be having 6 units producing around 6,000 Mwe of power and is slated to be completed in 3-4 phases in 10-15 years.

Pointing out the anxiety that is currently being suppressed on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, NPCIL director (planning) S Thakur told Business Standard, "Modalities for setting the nuclear power plant in Orissa is almost complete and we are certain of beginning the work early next year. We have also selected the site and decided on how to go about with the project. The only hurdle, existing at present, is the international deal between India and the US over nuclear issues. We, however, are confident that the government will finally clinch the deal and we can be certain of going ahead with the venture."

This is considered to be the largest nuclear plant in the country. The nuclear power production in the country is currently at 4,120 Mwe. NPCIL proposes to set up more nuclear power plants in other coastal states like Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

NPCIL officials, however, are currently looking up to the international agreement that is to take off between the Indian and the US government on the recent nuclear deal.

According to them, the prospect of setting up the nuclear power plant in Orissa largely hinges on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal. Plans for setting up similar plants in other parts of the country also depend on this deal.

Speaking to Business Standard, Orissa Energy Minister Surya Narayan Patro said, "The government is in final stages of examining the project and would shortly give the go ahead. Some local protests are trying to thwart the move but we are confident of overcoming them. This has made the issue a little sensitive."

The state government has decided to provide adequate land for the project spreading over 5 km radius in the Chikiti block of the district. The Orissa Hydro-power Corporation did the survey of the land.