NPCIL seeks clearance for Russian plants

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is going ahead with work required for environmental clearance for two more Russian nuclear power plants at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, an official said today.

Following the Indian government's site clearance for units 3 and 4 of the 1,000-Mw Russian VVER-1000 plants at Kudankulam and two plants of 1000-Mw each at Jaitapur in Maharashtra a few months back, NPCIL had started preparation for obtaining clearances from Pollution Control Boards of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, S K Agarwal, chief-executive for light water plants of NPCIL told PTI.

As both NPCIL and the Russian Atomic Ministry fear some delay in the progress of the Kudankulam Atomic Power Plant's units one and two, slated for commissioning in 2007 and 2008 respectively, a task force was formed last month and the progress of these units is being closely monitored. The task force report is likely to be ready by the end of May, Agarwal said.

However, he added "we are going ahead with the pre-environmental clearance work at both Kudankulam (for units three and four) and for the two proposed units at Jaitapur."

NPCIL is also working on the pre-environment clearance requirements for four indigenous pressurised heavy water reactors of 700-Mw each "" two units at Kakrapar in Gujarat and two in Rajasthan.

He said NPCIL had conducted a public hearing meeting at Kakrapar on April 21 for the first time, as per the amended act of the Union ministry of environment and forests.