Koodankulam nuclear power plant is safe: NDMA

In the midst of ongoing protests against Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, the National Disaster Management Authority today said all nuclear installations in the country were safe and there was no need for any worry for the people living in the surrounding areas.

"There is no need for any concern for any of the plants," NDMA vice-chairman M Shashidhar Reddy said at a press conference here.

Reddy said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, senior government officials and experts have repeatedly said there would be no compromise on the safety standard of any of nuclear plants.

"Not only Kudankulam but Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station, which too is located in Tamil Nadu, is also safe. Government has taken several safety measures and it would continue to do so. I think there is need for some awareness," he said after a day-long session on various aspects of disaster management organised on the occasion of 8th foundation day of NDMA.

Reddy said government has already announced a Rs 500 crore development project for the surrounding areas of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

"We have asked all states, which have nuclear plant, to prepare development plan for people living in areas near the plant. Karnataka is preparing one and other states will also come up. Fund is not an issue," he said.

The NDMA vice-chairman said drills were carried out in six states which host nuclear plants to aware people how to deal with any disaster.

Reddy said Rs 35,000 crore is expected to be spent under the 12th five year plan for strengthening various disaster management mechanism in the country.