Govt evaluating sites for atomic power plant in AP, coastal states

New Delhi, Dec 7 (UNI) The Government today said that it was evaluating the site proposed by the Andhra Pradesh Government for setting up of an atomic power plant in Kovvada in Srikakulam district.

''No decision has been taken regarding setting up of a nuclear power station there,'' Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan told the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour.

He was replying to concerns expressed by TDP member Sudarshan Akarapu on the implications the proposed power plant would have on the local fishermen and the fragile ecosystem of the region.

Mr Chavan clarified that following the request of the Site Selection Committee constituted by the Government to coastal states for suitable sites for consideration, the state governments of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh had responded.

Stating that evaluation of sites was a preliminary step, he said, ''social impact assessment, evolving an acceptable package for rehabilitation of the affected persons and generating awareness in the local population about safety of the nuclear power stations are some of the issues which are required to be addressed in the event a decision is taken by the Government in this regard.'' UNI SD MIR HT1300