Reactors at Kudankulam nuclear plant safe: R Chidambaram

Centre's Principal Scientific Adviser R Chidambaram today sought to allay fears of anti-Kudankulam nuclear power project protestors, saying the reactors there are very safe and scientists have looked at all its safety aspects. "The reactors at Kudankulam are very safe. Our scientists have looked at all safety aspects of the project and ensured it is a very safe reactor. So I hope all opposition against it will be over and the project will come up in due course," he told reporters on the sidelines of a programme here.

He said both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had already stated that scientists would address the fears of locals over the project. Stating that nuclear power was an inevitable option to meet India's energy needs, he said the plant on being commissioned, would add 2,000 MW power to the national grid. "Large developing countries have to look at all sources of power. To my mind, nuclear energy is an inevitable option for satisfying India's energy needs," he said. "India and China are going for nuclear power as these countries are energy stressed," he said.

"There are two parameters which can be used to define the human development index, per-capita electricity consumption and female literacy," he said. "If you look at the present level of per-capita electricity consumption, in my calculation you have to raise it six to eight times before India can become a developed country in the fullest sense of the term," he said.

He said when any energy producing system was introduced, part of the production would go to industry, urban consumption, small towns and villages, resulting in better drinking water facility and sanitation. It was in this context that one has to look at the need for nuclear power, he said.