Jaitapur n-power project receives environmental clearance
29 Nov 2010
Mumbai: India's ambitious nuclear power generation programme received a boost yesterday with the 9,950 MW Jaitapur nuclear power project in Maharashtra receiving environmental clearance.
The project, which will be jointly developed by state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and French nuclear giant, Areva, will involve the setting up of six nuclear power generating units of 1,650 mw each.
The project is the end result of a civil nuclear agreement with France and an agreement between Areva and the NPCIL is expected to be signed in the course of a state visit by French president Nicholas Sarkozy to India next month.
The project would go a long way in removing energy shortages in a heavily industrialised state such as Maharashtra.
The NPCIL expects to commission the projects first generating unit by 2017-18.
As is the norm, the project is being opposed by groups which are concerned by the environmental impact of the project. Sections of the local populace are also unhappy about the acquisition of their land for the project.
The union ministry for environment and forests has prescribed some conditions and safeguards while clearing the project for further implementation.
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