Jaitapur nuclear power project gets green nod

Mumbai, Nov 28:a€ˆThe 9,900-mw Jaitapur nuclear power project on Sunday received clearance from the Environment Ministry, which prescribed 35 conditions and safeguards.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said he considered various issues like economic growth, diversification of fuel mix for power generation and environment protection before giving nod to the proposed project on Konkan coast, which had faced opposition from locals and green groups. The clearance for the project, to be jointly developed by state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) and French giant Areva, came in 80 days from the day the NPC submitted the environment impact assessment report, Mr. Ramesh said. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry had already recommended a conditional environmental clearance to the project which involves setting up of six units of 1,650 mw each and is the outcome of India's civil nuclear agreement with France.
An agreement between Areva and the NPC is expected to be signed during French President Nicholas Sarkozy's India visit next month.
The project would help energy deficient States like Maharashtra, which face compulsory power cuts and the NPC expects the first unit of the project to be commissioned by 2017-18.
The project had been opposed by groups like the Konkan Bachao Samiti which expressed concern about the radiological safety of the nuclear plant and its impact on the environment. They also pointed "faults' in the environmental impact assessment report prepared by the National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) alleging that it is based on generic and incomplete inputs on radioactive threats.
Many villagers have also opposed acquisition of their land for the project.
"It was a difficult decision... It is a balancing act. I do not expect all environmentalists to be happy with this decision,' Mr. Ramesh said, adding that full transparency has been followed in decision making.
The Minister rejected the allegation his decisions were "stalling development', saying 95 per cent of the projects which come to his Ministry get environmental clearance and 85 per cent get the forest nod. "I am a reasonable man,' he said.
Voicing concern over a slew of power, mining and port projects coming up in the ecologically sensitive Konkan region, Mr. Ramesh said there is a need to look at the carrying capacity of the coastal Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts, adding a cumulative impact assessment should be done. (Agencies)


2010-11-28



blog comments powered by Disqus

India National News Ghulam Nabi Azad Azad Calls for Greater Regional Cooperation in Health PIB/Hyderabad Deccan News April 12/2012 : Addressing the fourth Health Ministers' Conference at Male, Maldives today, the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that a strong and vibrant public health care system can cope with the enormous challenges emanating from demographic and epidemiological transition in the SAARC region. "We should collaborate amongst ourselves to find our own concrete solutions which are feasible, cost effective and suitable for our region", Shri Azad said. The Minister added that full advantage of the strength and vibrancy of SAARC in addressing the common health problems of th ... Read More

Latest Headlines United States threat to stop outsourcing from India BHEL Pays All-Time High 136% Interim Dividend for Fiscal 2011-12 Conditions for Indian Citizenship Harvard Business School inaugurated its first classroom in Mumbai Muslim community leaders condemn Journalist Kazmi's arrest Meeting on White Collar Crimes Economic offences related to IT ITES Industry Export of cotton prohibited with immediate effect Issues and Challenges in the Development of Women and Children of Backward Classes Harvard business school opens new classroom at Taj Lands end - Mumbai

An Unwanted Priest, an autobiography of Manmohan Singh, Meira Kumar, Sushma Swar Obaid Humaid Al Tayer meeting the Union Wi - Fi Facility in Trains