More states demand setting up of N-power plants

The site selection committee of the Government of India is considering Mahi-Banswara in Rajasthan, Kaiga and Mannur in Karnataka and Rajauli in Bihar for setting up nuclear power plants in future.

Following the in-principle approval of sites in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, in October 2009, the state governments of Rajasthan, Karnataka and Bihar have reiterated their requests for setting up nuclear power plants in the future, minister of state for science and technology and earth science Prithviraj Chavan told the Lok Sabha today.
 
The evaluation of sites by the Standing Site Selection Committee (SSSC) of the central government is an ongoing activity while the 'in principle' approval of the sites is the first step in the process of setting up nuclear power plants, the minister said, adding that details of the projects would be finalised subsequently.

Chavan said the average economic life of nuclear power stations is 30-40 years. Based on systematic life assessment studies and life extension measures, the nuclear power plants can be safely operated for another 20-25 years.

In India also our experience has been similar. Operation of plants is subject to licensing by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and review of operation from time to time.

During the last three years, there has been no incident of leakage or discharge of radioactivity beyond the limits specified by the AERB, he said.

The Tata Memorial Centre has completed epidemiological surveys to assess the effects of radiation among the employees and their family members who reside near the nuclear power plants and these surveys have indicated that the operations of nuclear power plants have no ill-effects on health, he said.

He said India has signed contracts with friendly nations like France, Russia and Kazakhstan for securing supply of uranium. "While France has completed the supply, part supplies have been received from Russia," he said.

The imported fuel can be used only in reactors under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. At present only 7 operating reactors are under IAEA safeguards. He said, capacity utilisation of the reactors has improved after introduction of imported uranium in safeguarded reactors.