Abdul Kalam to visit Kudankulam to see safety aspects of reactors

Joining the efforts of top nuclear scientists to allay villagers' fear over the controversy embroiled Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, former President APJ Abdul Kalam would visit the site on Sunday to see for himself the safety aspects of the reactors.

"The former President will visit Kudankulam to see the safety aspects of the reactors" during the day's visit tomorrow", an aide of Kalam said.

As the protesters intensified their agitation against the project, Kalam, a votary of nuclear energy, had himself said he would visit all reactors across the coastal belts.

Minister of State in the PMO V Narayanaswamy had also said the Centre would seek Kalam's "guidance" on allaying the fears of the people who are demanding closure of the Indo-Russian power project the first phase of which is expected to be commissioned in December.

Kalam's visit to the project comes two days after Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Srikumar Banerjee and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Chairman SK Jain had met Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Debendranath Sarangi and discussed ways to allay the fears of villagers.

The Centre has already set up a 15-member expert committee to clear "misconceptions" about the project.

"This Expert Group will explain the factual position on various aspects of the project and will also dispel apprehensions of some sections of the local people," the government said earlier.