GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2484
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25TH AUGUST 2011
SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF KAIGA NUCLEAR PLANT
2484 SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to sate:-
(a) Whether government has undertaken any study on safety of nuclear plants in India;
(b) If so, the details thereof;
(c) The safety assessment of the Kaiga plant in Karnataka; and
(d) The measure that have been put in place by government to ensure safety of this plant?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE
PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(SHRI V NARAYANASAMY)
(a) Yes, sir
(b) Soon after the Fukushima (Japan) incident, the government directed a comprehensive review of safety of all the nuclear power reactors in the country. In line with this directive, Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) constituted four task forces for each of the technology in operation and two task forces for the types of reactors under construction. These task forces have revisited the safety aspects of all the nuclear power plants and found that Indian nuclear power reactors are safe and have sufficient margins and features in the design to withstand extreme natural events. The reports of the task forces have been submitted and made public. The atomic energy regulatory board (AERB) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have also constituted committees whose reports are expected in the near future.
(c) & (d) The Kaiga generating station in Karnataka was found to be safe and having sufficient margins and features in the design to withstand extreme natural events. However, to further enhance its safety, recommendations have been made which are being implement after due process of approval. These, inter – ala, are:
************