Goa, Karnataka to jointly tackle possible leak at Kaiga plant

Goa government has decided to work out a common strategy with Karnataka to ensure that any possible leak from the Kaiga nuclear plant in the neighbouring state, is contained before its southern beaches are affected.

Kaiga Nuclear plant is situated in the North Karnataka district, about 25 kilometres from the Goa border.

Ashutosh Apte, member of the Southern District Disaster Management Authority, said that during a meeting held yesterday, government officials from the two states, nuclear plant management and national disaster management experts decided to work out a common strategy, in case there is nuclear radiation from the plant.

Goa government has been taken into confidence as the plant lies in close proximity to the state's border and any radiation can affect tourism at beaches like Agonda, Palolem, Galjibag and others, which are in Canacona taluka, he said.

Apte said in case of a nuclear leak there could be two potential dangers for Goa, one is radiation carriage through sea and another is through north-easterly wind blowing in the state.

Goa will now be part of mock drills and evacuation exercises conducted by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and similar committees, he added.

NDMA official JK Sinha and disaster management expert Major General VK Dutta also attended the meeting.