It's raining trouble for TN nuke plantRajeev
DeshpandeRajeev Deshpande,
TNN | Oct 30, 2011, 05.07AM IST New Delhi: Recent rains have added to problems at the Kudankulam nuclear plant,
where a skeleton staff of 40-60 personnel is finding it increasingly difficult
to keep systems functioning to ensure correct levels of ventilation, humidity
and coolant circulation.
With efforts to break the impasse over local
protests and a blockade of the plant eluding resolution, there is a possibility
of equipment being damaged unless more staff can access the complex soon as
shutting down operations is a lengthy process and a setback to the nuclear
programme. "We are not thinking of suspending operations. But it is difficult to
keep the plant functioning at minimum levels. The rains have created fresh
problems for the staff at the plant," Srikumar Banerjee, secretary at the
department of atomic energy (DAE), told ToI on Saturday.
Banerjee said
he was prepared to make more efforts to assuage concerns raised by local
protestors and the safety aspects have been explained in detail.
"We are
prepared to do more. Many of our staffers are Tamil speakers and we will meet
the villagers in the area," he said.
The atomic energy establishment
along with Central and state government representatives is keen to frame issues
for a dialogue aimed at resolving specific concerns of agitating protestors, who
are largely fisher folks. Indian and foreign activists - opposing the plant -
are not seen amenable to a resolution short of the plant being abandoned.
Continued Disruption at a time when the DAE says the plant is "99.5%
complete" is creating a serious situation as the Kudankulam complex has to be
kept humming with adequate care to ensure its sensitive computers are not
adversely affected and its coolant remains in circulation.
Timelines
have been affected and the staff is doing all it can to ensure the nuclear power
corporation of India does not have to consider a shutdown that will be
politically embarrassing for the Centre that is striving to ensure it does not
lose face at home and abroad.
The government is working to convince
church groups opposing the plant and who wield influence on the Christian
fishing communities. With technologists warning that the plant cannot move from
a "hot" phase to freeze without serious long-term consequences, time is running
short. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Its-raining-trouble-for-TN-nuke-plant/articleshow/10536800.cms
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