Activists demand to postpone expansion plans of Kalpakkam nuclear plant
17 Aug, 2013
An application was filed with the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking to get information about AERB’s assessment of the volcanic risk in the vicinity of nuclear plants at Kalpakkam.
The reply from the AERB states that the National Institute of Oceanography and the Oil and Natural Gas Commission didn't find any bathymetric anomaly in their studies. However, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) had found magnetic and gravity anomalies in the region and had recommended further analysis of the situation. The reply says that following GSI's recommendations, AERB has asked the utilities at Kalpakkam to conduct detailed study regarding possible revival of undersea volcanic activity around 110 km away from the Kalpakkam nuclear plants.
Based on the RTI reply, the activists have demanded that the plan to expand the nuclear facilities at Kalpakkam should be put on hold till the volcanic risks are conclusively ruled out by scientific assessment.