Jaitpur nuclear power plant poses no nuclear threat: Dr Anil Kakodkar

Eminent nuclear scientist Dr Anil Kakodkar has said that the proposed nuclear power plant at Jaitapur would pose no threat to environment or marine life. He stated this while pointing out that nuclear power is the only alternative for the long-term needs of the country.

Kakodkar shared his views during a programme organised by Zee 24 Taas and Zee Marathi Disha — 'Manthan' — to mark 20 years of Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998. Following the Pokhran test, May 11 is celebrated as the National Technology Day.

Vijay Kuvlekar, Editor-in-Chief, Zee 24 Taas, welcomed Kakodkar and explained that Manthan series has been started to facilitate the exchange of ideas and success stories of men and women associated with the event.

Stating that Pokharan tests of 1998 brought India forward as a nuclear power, Kakodkar said that bottlenecks in the nuclear programme and the overall development also came to an end with these tests.

He said that as far doubts regarding environmental issues raised about Jaitapur are concerned, there is near zero pollution. Hot water would be released at a depth of a few kilometres into the sea. After mixing with this, the rise in the temperature of sea water would be minimal. Kakodkar further added that it has been observed that such small rise in temperature would better breeding pattern of fish.

PROG TIMING

The special programme — Manthan — will be telecast today on Zee 24 Taas at 10 am and again at 9.30 pm.