There is nothing to worry about the proposed N-power plant at Mithi Virdi: NPCIL

Farmers protest public hearing for proposed N-plant

Counterview Desk
In a reply to R Sreedhar of the Environics Trust, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) has suggested that top activist-scientist’s objections to the proposed N-plant at Mithi Virdi in Gujarat are misplaced. In a statement forwarded to www.counterview.net, NPCIL has sought to provide a point by point rebuttal to Sreedhar’s queries to the N-plant.
Query: The location of the site with 78 per cent of double cropped land for the plant not only indicates the lack of sensitivity in the choice of area for acquisition but also that the state and the NPClL are putting more people to risk, as settlements would be also too close for nuclear plant and the need for some exclusion zone need not be over-emphasised after the recent accidents and increased concern on nuclear disasters.
NPCIL response: The Mithivirdi site is offered by government of Gujarat and was evaluated by the site selection committee {SSC} appointed by Government of India comprising members from Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), department of atomic energy (DAE), and NPCIL. The SSC has recommended Mithivirdi as the suitable site for establishing the nuclear power plant (6 X 1000 MW capacities light water reactor). The site selection committee has considered various site selection criteria as specified by AERB/MoEF such as location, land availability, transportation accessibility, source of cooling water, meteorology, population, seismic zones, flood analysis, sustainability of the project, other environmental aspects etc. before recommending the suitability of the site for establishing nuclear power plant (NPP). Based on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies, it is clarified that agriculture (double cropped) in the region will not be affected due to the project as the emission of conventional pollutants from the project will be negligible and radiation close will be a small fraction of the AERB dose limit. While acquiring the land for the project, the affected-people will be compensated in line with the state Government resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) policy.
The proposed AP1000 at Mithlvirdì is a generation-III pressurized water reactor (PWR). The technology is evolved by Westinghouse based on AP600 the successfully operating power plants. The technology is licensed by the USNRC regulating authorities and is under implementation in many countries.
The AP1000 design has the inner containment steel lined and designed to withstand accidental pressures and temperatures and an outer hardened concrete shell enveloping the inner one and protecting it against external hazards such as aircraft crashes and pressure wave, etc.. The reactor design follows the latest international standards and guidelines. lt incorporates a large number of diverse and redundant safety features. The low -level radioactive waste generated by NPP will be having a robust treatment and disposal system in line with AERB requirements.
Query: One of the issues clearly pointed out in the terms of reference (TOR) and is fundamental to any dialogue with Public is to know the project affected people and the R&R plan. The point number (xiv) in the TOR sates "Application of resettlement and rehabilitation policy may be described. Project affected persons should be identified and rehabilitation and resettlement plan should be prepared." The section on R&R in the EIA report is totally hypothetical and does not even say how many households would be affected.
NPCIL response: As per the Khasara map, there is no physical displacement of any of the villages. However, the land going to be acquired for the project belongs to the Jasapara, Mandava and Khadadpar-Mithivirdi villages. On this land there are some scattered houses which will be surveyed and confirmed by the district administration. The affected families will be compensated as per R&R Policy of Govt. of Gujarat.
Query: EIL does not have necessary accreditation to conduct EIA for nuclear power plants.
NPCIL response: Accreditation of Engineers India Ltd (EIL) for nuclear sector is under active considerations by NABET since March 15, 2010. As the requirements for accreditation in this sector are being discussed with the experts in the field and are not yet finalized by NABET, EIL has not provided in the EIA report valid NABET accreditation certificate for nuclear sector. Also, it is submitted that M/s EIL has carried out the updated EIA for Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project unit 3 to 6 (KKNPP 3 to 6) in the year 2011-12, which was reviewed by CRZ Expert Appraisal Committee, MoEF and based on their recommendations, MOEF granted CRZ clearance for KKNPP 3 to 6. Considering their overall capabilities in the field of EIA, NABET has suggested to EIL to carry out the EIA study for nuclear power projects in consultation with AERB/ BARC/ NPCIL.

Comments

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani* India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor* Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas* November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor* Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Tributes paid to pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, who 'dodged' police for 60 yrs

By Harsh Thakor* Jagjit Singh Sohal, known as Comrade Sharma, a pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, passed away on October 20 at the age of 96. Committed to the Naxalite cause and a prominent Maoist leader, Sohal, who succeeded Charu Majumdar, played hide and seek with the police for almost six decades. He was cremated in Patiala.

Search This Blog