MOEF notification in 1989 did not envisage for public hearing for KK1 and KK2 reactors, defends NPCIL

Design of Koodankulam units is not identical to Chernoboyl or boiled water reactors at Fukushima: says NPCIL

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The environmental clearance for Koodankulam 1 and 2 reactors was obtained in 1989 and the Ministry of Environment and Forest notification then did not envisage public hearing, according to Nuclear Power Corporation of India sources.

Subsequently, while obtaining environmental clearance for Koodankulam 3 to six reactors, environmental impact assessment (EIA) as per EIA notification, public hearing including the responses to stakeholders, review by expert appraisal committee of MoEF as per the prevalent notification of 2006 was carried out, NPCIL said.

“The design of KK-3 to KK-6 units is envisaged to be same as Unit I and II,” NPCIL sources said.

Interestingly while the protestors question the capability of Russian reactors to remain safe for extended periods of time if cooling systems fail, NPCIL sources said Koodankulam consists of two units of advanced model of Russian VVER-1000 MW pressurised water reactor and the design adopted at Koodankulam has in addition many unique safety features as per the department’s specifications.

“The design of these units is not identical to Chernoboyl or boiled water reactors at Fukushima and they fall in the category of advanced light water reactors,” NPCIL said, adding that the reactors have passive heat removal system to provide natural cooling for removal of decay heat.

NPCIL sources also said the concept of sterilisation zone was made understandable to the public inhabiting the area through interactions. “Visits were organised of village representatives, including panchayat union chairman, vice-chairman, village presidents, councillors and other members to the existing nuclear power plants at Rajasthan Atomic Power Station besides exhibitions on related issues were set-up at District Science Centre, Tirunelveli,” the sources said.

The sources said the safety review on setting up Koodankulam project is carried out by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board over and above the regulatory review carried out for these reactors in Russian Federation.

NPCIL said the approval for coastal zone regulation for Koodankulam reactors 1 and 2 was under prime minister’s office while data for Koodnakulam three and four reactors have been submitted to MoEF.

NPCIL sources also said Koodankulam is located in lowest seismic hazard zone and the nearest epicentre of a recorded earthquake was located near Trivandrum which is situated at a distance of 88km northwest of Koodankulam site.