Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Got Approval for Operations by the Supreme Court of India

The Supreme Court of India directed that the Kudankulam nuclear plant situated in Tamil Nadu could start its operations now. A bench of Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra issued the directions to the government on safety as well as security of the plant, along with its operations.

The Supreme Court directed Nuclear Power Corporation of India and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board to ensure that all steps were taken for the safety of the nuclear plant.

The Apex Court explained that the Kudankulam nuclear plant was absolutely safe and secure and that it was necessary to start its operations for economic growth as well as welfare of India.
 
In 2012, the fishermen as well as villagers protested against the fuelling of this plant. Opponents of this plant, People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) complained that it was situated in the area which was affected badly by 2004 Asian tsunami and that there was a fear of disaster like that of Fukushima nuclear plant of Japan in 2011.

The Kudankulam nuclear plant is among those plants which is a part of India’s aim of generating 63000 MW of nuclear power by 2032.

Controversy over Kudankulam nuclear plant

Kudankulam nuclear plant is the under-construction nuclear power plant in Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. The construction of this plant began in March 2002. The delay in the construction of the plant is attributed to anti-nuclear protests by the locals as well as People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE).

The pre-service inspection of the first unit of Kudankulam nuclear plant began by the engineers in 2012. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board completed the inspection of reactor pressure vessel of Unit-1 and it was found that there were no defects at all.