Kaiga officials allay nuclear radiation fears

The authorities at Kaiga Generating Station (KGS) have clarified that natural development within the 5 km radius of the nuclear power station was possible and that the land need not be taken under plant control.  Allaying fears of the people in the region, KGS site director JP Gupta said, “The villagers and the land owners can take up developmental activities in these villages as agreed by the administration.”

Reacting to the agitation by the people of villages situated within the 5km radius, Gupta said: “The apprehensions of these villagers about the restrictions on natural development were not correct.”

He said that as per Atomic Energy Regulatory Board’s (AERB) safety guidelines, natural growth was permitted within the 5 km.

However, he clarified that the developmental activities need to be regulated by administrative control, so that it can be appropriately planned. He said that the construction of large industries and employing huge work force may have to be regulated in this zone for effective planning. Gupta said that the nuclear power stations world over were set up near cities, and people were staying right up to the boundary of these plants.