Anti-nuclear plant report sent to PM

Maharashtra environment minister and Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam sent a detailed report on Jaitapur Nuclear power plant to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through which he tried to bring the attention of the PM to its alleged hazardous impact on the green belt of the Konkan. The Sena has always taken a stand against the project and A delegation of MPs of the saffron party met Prime Minister Narendra Modi few months back to bring their attention towards the issue and the Sena’s stand.

Mr Kadam said he had sent a detailed report on how the power project would affect environment of the Konkan region and how it would badly impact on marine life. “I have prepared a detailed report of 418 pages, which includes objections by Konkan Bachao Samiti, the report of Madhavrao Gadgil committee, the report of public hearing by Dr B.J. Waghmare Janhit Samiti and also the report of a public hearing of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB),” said Mr Kadam.

“After the disaster in Japan’s nuclear power plant, the European Union ordered a ‘stress test’ on all of its 143 reactors whereas German too had announced it would end the use of nuclear energy and promote renewable energy,’ said Mr Kadam, adding, “When the world is re-thinking the use of nuclear power, why India is pressing for the same We should focus on green and solar power energy.”

According to Mr Kadam, and the report submitted by the National Institute of Oceanography — which has its head office in Goa, 24 species of marine seaweeds and 6 species of mangroves would be destroyed by the heated effluent discharged in the Arabian Sea from the nuclear plant.

Mr Kadam said the Sena would not allow the Union and state government to complete the Jaitapur project. “Our bonding is with people of the Konkan and with the environment of the region. We are not against development, but it should not proceed at the cost of the environment,” said Mr Kadam.