Why Kudankulam safety raked up now after having been settled?

Hyderabad, Feb 27: Regretting the protests against the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu despite the assurances over safety, two top nuclear officials on Monday said shortage of manpower prevented full-fledged work being taken up in the plant.

S K Jain, CMD of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and Atomic Energy Commission Srikumar Banerjee told reporters here on the sideline of a conference on nuclear fuel that it was surprising that all questions about safety of the plant were now being raised when they had already been settled.

"Let me ask you a few questions...One, if you recall that in past two, three or four months, there was talk that Kudankulam site was not a proper site, it's a volcano, earthquake and tsunami-prone area. Then there was a question about the safety of the reactors. There was a question regarding quality.

"Kudankulam construction has been going on smoothly and in total harmony with the neighbourhood right from March 31, 2002. In the last 10 years, there was no doubt about the site, absolutely no question raised about volcano.

The same people are staying there", Jain said. He said post-Fukushima nuclear tragedy caused by tsunami in Japan, there were lot of apprehensions. The PM was also concerned and he ordered various measures. In Parliament, he said safety of people is top priority.

PTI