Greens mount big protest against Jaitapur n-plant

Environmentalists and fisherfolk's groups on Tuesday warned that the proposed 9,900-MW Jaitapur nuclear power plant, which got environmental clearance on Sunday, will destroy the fragile Konkan coast.

Among others, members of the Konkan Bachao Samiti and Janahit Seva Samiti questioned the scientific validity of the environmental clearance given to the nuclear power project slated to come up at Madban in Ratnagiri district.

Pradeep Indulkar, member of the Konkan anti-nuclear power project committee, said that the conditions set by the ministry of environment and forests were eyewash. He said that the environment impact assessment (EIA) does not show existing mangroves. "There will be a huge protest on this arbitrary setting up of the plant without considering the problems of the locals," he said.

He said the Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd (PCIL) claims that the mangroves are well beyond 5km from the project site, which is totally false. "The 35 conditions stipulated by the MoEF is just eyewash. They have stipulated frivolous conditions like putting ear plugs to reduce the noise levels," Indulkar said.

''Around 5,200 crore litres of water will be taken from the sea for the operation of the plant daily and there is also going to be a temperature difference of at least 5 degrees Celsius due to thermal discharge. This will surely destroy the marine eco system here,'' Indulkar added.

''Jairam Ramesh has ignored the elephant in the room,'' Vivek Monteiro, president of the Mumbai Shramik Sangh, told journalists in the city. He pointed out that the EIA report was silent on the question of spent fuel. ''That is the largest question and the report does not answer any queries regarding it.''