Count on your support on Kudankulam: PM writes to Jaya

New Delhi, Oct 7: Seeking to allay fears, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Oct 7) told Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa that the Centre will give full regard to "safety, livelihood and security of the people" while implementing the Kundankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP).

Singh, in a letter to the Jayalalithaa, listed out series of safety measures and clearances obtained for KNPP and said that he counted on her support in timely implementation of the project. Pitching for pursuing the atomic power, he said, "Nuclear energy is one option to enhance our energy security. The Central Government will ensure that this is pursued with full regard to the safety, livelihood and security of the people."

"For a large and fast growing economy like ours, and given the volatility and uncertainty of international energy markets, it is in our national interest that we tap all sources of energy, and diversify our energy mix," he said.

Noting that "understandable concerns" were being expressed about nuclear safety after the Fukushima accident, Singh said the Centre was "fully alive" to it has sought to actively reach out to local populations at different nuclear power sites and to other sections of society to ally such fears.

"The safety track record of our nuclear power plants over the past 335 reactor-years of operation has been good," he said pointing out that he had ordered safety reviews of all nuclear power plants after the Fukushima accident.

"While these safety reviews have reaffirmed our ability to handle emergency situations, further recommendations have been made to augment safety. All the recommendations are being implemented," Singh said.

PTI