Baseless reporting on Kudankulam

Reports in a section of the media on leaks having developed in critical equipment of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant has raised completely unwarranted fears of dangers of radiation leaks, states an Indian High Commission press release.

The release: “These reports are totally baseless. There has been no radiation leak at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

“Various works and commissioning tests as per laid down procedures are progressing. This is in line with the stage-wise clearances accorded by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). The AERB reviews the various reports of performance tests and accords clearance for the next stage to ensure safe operation.

The reports that the Russian experts at the site could not address issues are also not based on facts. Some equipment for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is sourced from countries other than the Russian Federation.

Equipment supplied from Germany and Croatia are tested and commissioned in presence of specialists of supplier.

It is reiterated that safety is accorded utmost attention in Nuclear Power Plants and encompasses the entire gamut of activities associated with these Plants. Before operationalising the Plant, all the performance parameters are thoroughly checked to ensure safe operation. It is also reiterated that India has a robust regulatory mechanism and the AERB accords stage-wise clearances only after thorough review of operational parameters and conditions for various systems.

All nuclear power plant sites in India are 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 "Management of Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies". India is party to the Convention on Nuclear Safety (1994), Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident (1986), and the Convention on Assistance in the case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency and is fully aware of, and complies with, its obligations under these Conventions. The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is a State-of-the-Art plant that is compliant with the highest safety standards available in the nuclear industry today. The safety measures instituted at the plant are of the highest order.

India and Sri Lanka have an ongoing dialogue on cooperation in the area of nuclear energy, including in the areas of isotope hydrology, radio-tracer studies and dam safety. An Indian delegation is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in the near future for the second round of the dialogue on these and other areas of potential cooperation, including the area of safety.

The relevant issues are being addressed in the spirit of the close and friendly relations existing between India and Sri Lanka.

Given the close and friendly ties between India and Sri Lanka, such alarmist reporting which is not based on facts should be avoided.