INDIA
SS Bajaj said a seven-member team was carrying out last minute checks at the first 1000 MW unit of KNPP.
As anti-Kudankulam protests intensified, India's nuclear regulator on Thursday said it was yet to give final clearance for loading of enriched uranium fuel into the first 1000 MW atomic plant built with Russian collaboration.
"Fuel loading has not yet begun," SS Bajaj, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) told reporters at a briefing on safety measures at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP).
Bajaj said a seven-member AERB team was carrying out last minute checks at the first 1000 MW unit of KNPP located at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu.
"As soon as those (checks) are completed we will get the report from the ground team. We will then review the report and only then give clearance for fuel loading," he said.
Bajaj said it was the responsibility of the plant operator -- Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) -- to meet all the regulatory parameters after which a go ahead can be given to load fuel in the plant.
"We do not know how much time it will take. It is the responsibility of the utility (NPCIL) and not AERB. We will only ensure whether safety measures have been met or not," he said.
Kudankulam and its adjoining villages are witnessing a fresh wave of protests led by anti-nuclear activists and the locals against commissioning of the atomic power plant.
Bajaj refused to be drawn into a debate on the timeframe commissioning of the plant and made it clear that it was the responsibility of the operator.
"Timeframe for commissioning of the plant are issues with the utility. Regulatory body will only give clearances when the safety measures are met. It can be done tomorrow or one year later. If we are satisfied we will clear it," he said.
On the safety of the Kudankulam plant, Bajaj said an AERB committee had said the plant was safe and robust as fas as tsunami-like conditions are concerned.
He said the committee had made 17 recommendations for incorporating additional safety measures in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear accident.
Bajaj said the recommended actions were to be reviewed and resolved and AERB has set up a timeframe ranging from six months to two years for their implementation.
"Already implementation of some recommendations has begun. There are working groups who will review it. Without that kind of satisfaction, we will never give any clearance," he said.
On the recent CAG report on the functioning of the AERB, Bajaj said the nuclear regulator was an autonomous body and does not get its regulatory decisions cleared from anybody.
"We would like to clarify that with regards to regulatory decisions, AERB is an autonomous body and we do not report to anybody to clear our regulatory decisions," he said.
Bajaj said AERB has taken many enforcement actions in the past and will continue to do it in future as well.
"We will not agree to that we are not effective," the AERB Chairman said.
He refused to comment any further on the findings of the CAG report which would be taken up by a parliamentary committee for examination.
"CAG report is with Parliamentary committee and it is not advisable that I talk about it as it will be inviting privilege issues of Parliament," Bajaj said.
As Sky Force nears Rs 150 crore, Nimrat Kaur treats househelp, her kids with movie screening
IND vs ENG: Shreyas Iyer creates history, becomes first player to achieve THIS massive milestone
Meet man, India's richest banker, who has bought Rs 202 crore property, his net worth is Rs...
'Heard there was....': Former India head coach provides major update on Virat Kohli's injury
A New Geopolitical Era: India and Israel's Role in the Evolving Middle East
David Warner’s touching moment with fans after Dubai Capitals reaches final of DP World ILT20
India’s Largest Book Stall Network: PrashantAdvait Foundation’s Mission to Revive Reading Culture
Mawra Hocane stuns in pastel mint green lehenga at her wedding to Ameer Gilani
Deepinder Goyal's Zomato changes its name, CEO shares journey of company, it is now called...
Rose Day 2025: Know the date, history, significance of each rose colour ahead of Valentine's day
'BJP-led NDA works for Santushtikaran, not Tushtikaran': PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
Who is Belle Gibson? Australian wellness guru created fake cancer story and later...
DP World ILT20 2025: Dubai Capitals clinch last ball thriller against Desert Vipers to reach final
Jeet Adani-Diva Shah wedding: First pic from Gautam Adani's mansion OUT as wedding festivities begin
Sunita Williams’ Spacewalk: A Record-Breaking Mission and a Stunning Selfie from Space
IND vs ENG: Ravindra Jadeja creates history in Nagpur, surpasses James Anderson to become....
Can IAS officers change cadres after marriage? Here's what rules say
Pavan Kumar Joshi innovates unemployment benefits payment security
Anil Ambani's company's share price surges over 6 per cent after it earns profit of Rs...
Why Dale Bhagwagar is Bollywood's only PR guru
Meet Anjum Khan, wife of cricket star Shivam Dube, her net worth is Rs...
IAF Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft crashes in MP's Shivpuri during training sortie
Meet IAS Tina Dabi's mother, who cleared UPSC to become IES, later resigned due to...
Good news for Infosys employees! Company to roll out annual hike letters by end of...
BIG win for India's largest govt bank, earns Rs 16891 crore profit in just...
Ajith Kumar's fans celebrate, throng theatres after Vidaamuyarchi's worldwide release: Watch
Purnam’s Spring Edit: Where heritage meets handcrafted luxury
RTPS Bihar: Apply for income, caste, and domicile certificates
'Welfare of students very close to Government's heart': EAM Jaishankar in Rajya Sabha
IND vs ENG: Why is Virat Kohli not playing 1st ODI vs England in Nagpur?
Man's love for Indian wife knows no bounds, makes dosa batter from scratch, video goes viral
Meet woman, CRPF officer, who cracked UPSC exam in first attempt, became...
Trump administration plans to pressure the IOC to come up with a uniform transgender athlete ban
PM Modi's 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' to feature Deepika Padukone, Mary Kom, Sadhguru among others
Why speed matters: Ajay Chava on overhauling CI/CD pipelines for modern development
What does "i" stands for in iPhone, iPad, and other Apple products? Check here to know
Meet Pakistani actress whose leaked private video went viral, often shares bold photos, she is..
After Isha Ambani, Ananya Birla set to enter into new space, it is...
Shah Rukh Khan hugs Aamir Khan at Loveyapa screening, fans say '90s' kids can fly now': Watch
Meet Diva Shah, daughter of diamond tycoon, she is set to marry Gautam Adani’s son Jeet Adani on...
After US, Israel halts participation in UN Human Rights Council
Sanam Teri Kasam actress Mawra Hocane ties the knot with Pakistani star Ameer Gilani, see photos
Meet woman who left MNC job to pursue her uncle’s dream, later cracked UPSC to become IPS officer
Mukesh Ambani buys India’s first bulletproof Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Its price is Rs....
Anil Ambani meets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis as his Rs 16015 crore company is looking for...
DNA TV Show: What is US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan?
Anil Ambani's company's BIG win, reports Rs 420000000 profit in 3 months, its business is...
US President Donald Trump invites PM Modi on working visit to White House next week
Watch: Malaika Arora's 'oops moment' in short dress caught on camera, video viral
Little girl's adorable dance to 'Maula Mere Maula' captivates netizens, WATCH viral video
India beats China to become world’s second-largest market for...