Seven workers exposed to radiation at Kakrapar

In an incident that could be shocking, seven persons working at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station near here were exposed to high level radiation but officials allegedly tried to cover it up.

Though the incident took place two months back, it came to light only when the affected workers submitted a memorandum to Tapi district collector on Saturday. In the memorandum, they have sought action against those responsible for the mishap.

On the day of the mishap, the seven persons were doing painting work at the SFTD (Spent Fuel Transfer Duct) tunnel of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station, located near Vyara in Tapi district. Station officials had asked them to finish the painting work before 1:00 pm on that day.

While the seven were working inside the SFTD tunnel, the refuelling operator in the control room accidentally discharged a pair of spent fuel bundles into the tunnel. This made the workers inside the tunnel come in contact with high radiation.

Four of the workers were exposed to more than 5000 MR radiation, while three others to less than 5000 MR. But officials neither provided any treatment to the workers nor took any action against the operator.

“The Direct Radiation Dosimeter, which was given to us as a safety device against radiation, stopped functioning when the spent fuel bundles were released into the tunnel. This made us realise that we had come in contact with high radiation levels. After that incident, we have been offered neither any work nor any compensation by the authorities,” Dilesh Chaudhry, one of the workers, said.

“The operator was not aware that the seven persons were working inside the tunnel. This is totally a human error and we are trying to help all the seven workers,” said JP Dutta, director of atomic power station at Kakrapar.