Madras HC gives nod to Kudankulam project fuel-loading

, Aug 31: The

on Friday gave green signal to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to load fuel in the first reactor of the

Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) which has been in the midst of controversy for some time.

The court reportedly said that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), an expert body which looks into the safety aspects, was satisfied with the safety standards and hence encouraged the court to dispose petitions filed against setting up of two 1,000 MW reactors at Tirunelveli, located about 650 km from here.

While informing above, advocate M Vetriselvan also said that the court ruled out the need for getting the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and environmental clearances again for the nuclear project. On the question of executing the safety measures as recommended by the task force which was set up after the nuclear accident at Fukushima in Japan last year, the court said the AERB would specify when the measures would be put into effect.

The high court asked the NPCIL to implement the safety measures at the KNPP. Besides, the court directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to keep tabs on the environmental aspects and the temperature of the trade discharges into the sea.

The state government was asked to build and improve shipping infrastructure, set up quality schools, hospitals and organise mock drills on a regular basis so that the people develop an understanding of the safety measures.

NPCIL sources said that fuel would be loaded after a team from the AERB inspected the KNPP and gave its nod.

G Sundarrajan had filed a petition in the court challenging AERB's consent to NCPIL over loading of fuel.

OneIndia News

(With agency inputs)