Is Kundankulam Plant fears unfounded and far fetched?
Is the fear about the Kundankulam atomic energy plant unfounded or far fetched? Is it much ado about nothing? Or is it spill over of political activism? Or the big developed nations want India to live in bullock cart age without developing? Is there a conspiracy?
Three Mile Island nuclear accident in 1979 did it not happens? Chernobyl disaster where the reactor burst like abomb carrying the devastation of nearly large areas in its radius reducing them to a pulp in 1986. Fukushima, located in the sea front, and built by the meticulously by Japanese scientists caused destruction of a high order. Fishermen died, large amount of fishes were affected by the radiation from the reactors. Fishermen community fears such stories as repetition of the Minamata tragedy, where fishes took mercury and perished because of the location of a caustic soda factory there. There was fear, and more fear instilled among the local people and ignorant population.
There is another question. Why did the people wait till 2009, even though the plant initially began work in 2002? There are large numbers of nuclear reactors all over the world which provide power. The disaster percentage has been very few. The incident of occurrence of Fukushima tragedy can be related to a unique combination of nature’s fury- earthquake followed by tsunami is indeed a rare natural occurrence. Against the tsunami, no structure can withstand. But does this mean that the risk in a nuclear reactor is unpredictable and inherent? There is an attitude of the engineers and scientists of the atomic energy department. They do not vibe well and decently with the local population. Every one has a right to question the safety of these reactors? What are the inbuilt safety standards? Are our Scientists or technocrats not answerable to the locals who have their doubts lingering in their minds? Fishermen, can’t they have serious doubts about their livelihood options. Was there an attempt to build confidence between the agitators and the establishment except lathi charge on the protestators? Fishermen depend on fishing for their sustain hood, and hence their doubts on safety measures need to be shared with them. You cannot say, atomic energy Act is shrouded in secrecy, we cannot reveal much, but can assure you nothing untoward can happen. If the Indian Scientists were so much above board, why did the Govt of India put an order on top four scientists in the negative list? (Even though the country believes they are great men who have done the country proud). Government can raise their doubts of malfeasance with the top most scientists of impeccable integrity while the local people whose life is centered on Kudaukulam?
Government has characterized the stirs and protests to flow of foreign money into the coffers of a few NGOS who have diverted its money to campaign against the atomic plant. In Tamilnadu, 3218 NGOs received Rs 1663.31 Cr foreign money from America Britain, Germany, Italy and Netherlands. These countries have nuclear plants and depend upon nuclear energy. This allegation needs proof, legal proof which will stand the test of Rule of Law.
Would the Nuclear experts clarify some points? What is the cost of producing one watt of power? With hard water transported from elsewhere, and the cost of maintaining a plant with all its safeguards, what would be the recurring cost? How is one unit of power calculated? What about the safety net. Till what point or the circumference or diameter is considered as high vulnerable area. If there is a radiation leak, what would be the time limit to evacuate all the people to another point where the doses of radiation will not inhibit? What is the disaster management plan that would be put in operation in the eventual case of disaster? Are the plans of evacuation imbecile? The decision to take appropriate action, however cost it might incur, can be taken by the people at the grass root level, or would they need clearance from higher ups, and higher ups need clearances from the top brass in Delhi? These actions need to be documented and explained to the people in detail. Do not give formulas on the black board and make your exit. Convince the people. What about the unsolved problem of disposal of nuclear radioactive waste. It is reported that 30 tonnes of radio active waste is generated in a 1000 MW. Radio active wastes are just hidden in vitrified and sealed and buried. The people who bury the waste are fully conscious of their nature of hazards. Will they share it with the people? There are 3 lakh tonnes of radio active nuclear wastes remain accumulated from nuclear atomic plants. There are fantasy theories giving suggestions of storage of this highly hazardous waste. This need protection, for which a cost is involved. If the safeguarding cost is included in the cost of energy produced, it would be astronomic!
India was producing 1400 MW in 1947. Today its production is around 1, 82,000 MW. Still, we are hungry for power. Hydroelectric power projects have become ecological disasters. Submerging of lands is another issue. Erratic monsoons will cause upheavals in the production control. Coal, lignite, is costly. Rare. From pit head to the power station, transportation is exorbitant. There are alternative sources of energy. But this can produce small lumps and not massive power required for developing the country. Cadicott wrote a book in 1978 titled, Nuclear Madness. If after reading the book, some body provides answers to her questions, we can say that the atomic plant is fail safe.
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