Jaitapur nuclear project will be completed despite protests: Ajit Pawar

The Jaitapur nuclear project will come up in coastal Konkan despite opposition to it, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar today informed the state legislative council.

The government has taken all precautionary measures to ensure all safety parameters are implemented, the minister said.

"We have taken the opinion of experts, including former Atomic Energy chairman Anil Kakodkar and all are supporting the project," he said.

"No matter the opposition to it, the project will come up," Pawar said, replying to a debate initiated by opposition leader Pandurang Phundkar and others, who said the project is not viable at the present site.

A good package has been offered to the project affected people of Jaitapur, Pawar said.

The construction of the project will be so strong that even if an aircraft were to hit it, like the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, nothing will happen to it, he said.

As per marine life experts, there would no danger to marine life including fish, due to the project, Pawar said.

Earlier, project affected people received compensation of Rs48,000 to Rs1 lakh but now the government has increased the compensation amount manifold, he said. The government has also decided to provide job to project affected people, he added.

Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam said some agencies have submitted reports which are against the project. The project area is earthquake prone, he added.

Shiv Sena MLC Deepak Sawant asked if the French company Areva, involved in the project, was capable of building such a major project.