Site for 2nd nuke plant in State likely to be finalised next month

Nellore: In all probability, the second nuclear plant in state is to be constructed in Kavali mandal of Nellore district. It may be recalled that a site for the second nuclear power plant in AP has been considered in Kavalimandal some time ago and a decision will be taken during a summit in Delhi next month in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate.Rosatom, a Russia based companywill constructthe 1200-mw power generation plant.

Earlier, a site at Nandemmapuram in Kavali mandal was considered. Officials from the Fisheries department have stopped cultivation there. However, local people opposed the plans and submitted representations to the government against the move. Later, the Central Institute of Rock Mechanics (CIRM), Bengaluru, which was deployed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), had clearly reported that the proposed site was not suitable for the plant as it experiences earthquake vibrations.  

Even in the coastal areas of Nellore have the influence of tremors. A search for the site is also made in Prakasam district. In the latest move, there are plans to consider a site in Kavali mandal in Nellore district. The place has not yet been finalised.After finalising, the land will be handed over to Russian firm.

The issue will be discussed during the forthcoming summit in Delhi and the Department of Atomic Energy is ready to clear the pending project. Preliminary works for the last two units of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu already commenced and the department is also planning to start works of the second plant in AP, said sources from the Kudankulam plant.