Setting up of two Nuclear Projects in Andhra Pradesh and the related concerns

08 Mar Setting up of two Nuclear Projects in Andhra Pradesh and the related concerns

Setting up of two Nuclear Projects in Andhra Pradesh and the related concerns – Today Current Affairs

CONTEXT : The Recent statement of Jitender Singh (Union Minister of State) in Parliament informed about the clearance of a proposal by the Centre; to set up a nuclear power plant at Kovvada in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, abutting the proposed executive capital city of Visakhapatnam, has sparked another round of protests.

 At the same time, there are also protests at Tummalapalle, Kadapa district, over-

•  Uranium mining 
•  Its associated risks to health and environment
•  Issues of rehabilitation and resettlement.

 PEOPLE CONVINCED→  

• Despite initial protests after the projects were proposed, people from these two regions were more or less convinced about the developmental aspects of the nuclear power plant and uranium mining
• Land acquisition was a smooth affair. 

EXPECTATIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT –  The Hindu Analysis

• That the government would meet the requirements
• Stick to the stipulated norms 
• Allay fears over safety, health and rehabilitation

The Kovvada nuclear power plant :- 

•  First proposed in 2015
•  The government has acquired over 2,079 acres of land for the plant, taken up in association with the U.S. multinational nuclear power reactors supplier, Westinghouse Electric Company. 

The Forum for Development of North Andhra : The Hindu Analysis

The Forum urged to pass a resolution to reject it in the State, raising the concerns like:-

•  The location of the plant (it is to be set up close to National Highway 16)
•  The rehabilitation of fishermen 
•  The presence of several industries in the region

As per the guidelines of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board :- 

• Human habitation is not allowed within a 1.6-km radius of the plant
•  People living within 30 km from the plant should be kept ready for evacuation in the event of a disaster 
• The Forum warned, if there’ll be a disaster, the nuclear impact may be felt in places as far as Chhatrapur in Odisha and Kakinada in East Godavari district. 
• Kovvada is located in a dangerous seismic zone

The Uranium Corporation of India Limited’s (UCIL) mining in Tummalapalle in Kadapa district has also become controversial for similar reasons. 

With an estimated 85,000 tonnes of potential uranium deposit, the Tummalapalle mine is touted to be among the world’s biggest.

 After over a decade of mining at the site, there are concerns now over –

• Air pollution
• Ground water contamination
• unmet promises

• Locals say bore wells have become contaminated 
• The most common complaints are of skin and respiratory ailments
• More serious health issues have been reported among women

 Despite providing assurances, the UCIL has reportedly not provided medical support. 

The government responded to these concerns by the Conduction of field-level surveys but no Follow Ups.

On the rehabilitation front : The Hindu Analysis

 The villagers are unhappy as a majority of the youth NOT given the promised employment.

 The company is also accused of failing to provide PENSIONS to those who have crossed 60 years of age.

DERIVATIONS –

• The people in both these regions have given their lands to the government and are waiting for the latter to fulfil its promises. 
• Meanwhile, Opposition parties and NGOs are beginning to take note of the issues and inaction. 
• The projects, associated with nuclear energy, have been taken up in National Interest.   

Here we mention all information about Setting up of two Nuclear Projects in Andhra Pradesh and the related concerns – Today Current Affairs.

                                                                       (SOURCE : THE HINDU)

Rajeev Yadav

Plutus IAS Current Affairs Team Member