India allays Sri Lanka fears on K-plant

In view of frequent reports in the Sri Lankan media on the dangers to Lanka from any disaster at the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant, the Indian High Commission has issued a statement saying that the plant is completely safe, and that India is keeping Lanka informed on all issues of safety pertaining to the plant. 

“The KKNPP is a state-of-the-art plant that is compliant with the highest safety standards available today,” the statement issued on Wednesday, said.

“India and Lanka have an ongoing dialogue on cooperation in the area of nuclear energy. A Sri Lankan delegation is scheduled to visit India in the coming months to discuss areas of potential cooperation, including safety,” it added.

The statement said that the Indian government gave utmost attention to nuclear and radiation safety, including the safety of operating personnel, the public and the environment.  The principle of ‘safety being the overriding priority’ encompassed the entire gamut of activities associated with nuclear power plants, ranging from the choice of the site, to the design, construction, commissioning, operation, and de-commissioning. 

“Testing to demonstrate the adequacy of each system, and the plant as a whole, by actual performance tests to meet the design intent, is carried out well before commencing operation of the plant. The AERB reviews the operational limits and conditions for various system parameters and approves them before commissioning the plant, to ensure safe operation,”  the statement said.

On waste disposal, the statement said that all nuclear power plant sites in India were capable of managing the radioactive wastes generated at these sites.

“Each of them has adequate facilities for handling, treatment and disposal of such waste, in line with international standards. The establishment and verification of appropriate emergency response plans is a mandatory prerequisite for all nuclear power plants in India.  The preparedness of the agencies involved is verified through periodic exercises. The National Disaster Management Authority has drawn up a holistic and integrated programme for the management of nuclear and radiological emergencies” .