Madras HC clears Kudankulam power project
31 Aug 2012
The Madras High Court today gave the go-ahead for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, clearing the decks for fuel loading and commissioning of the 1,000 MW unit 1 of the Indo-Russian project.
A division bench comprising Justices P Jyothimani and M Duraiswamy has dismissed a batch of petitions challenging commissioning of units 1 and 2 of KNPP, citing that the project did not suffer from any infirmity for want of any clearance from any authorities.
''There is absolutely no impediment to proceed in units 1 and 2 of KNPP,'' the bench said in its order.
The court, however, said the central and Tamil Nadu governments should oversee the plant continuously and take steps to protect the interests of the people and fishermen in the area.
The high court also asked the state government to undertake awareness schemes besides establishing a multi-speciality hospital and schools with hostel facilities for locals and children. It also wanted the state government to give financial assistance to the fishermen in the area for buying mechanised boats and provide port and cold storage facilities to store fish catch.
The collector of Tirunelveli district, in which plant is situated, has been directed to ensure offshore safety drills regularly involving the public.
