New Delhi, Nov 24: Batting for nuclear power to ensure energy independence of the country, former President A P J Abdul Kalam today said the Kudankulam atomic plant has been constructed with “highest safety standards” and discounted fears of any danger in the event of a disaster.
Kalam, who visited the stir-hit Kudankulam plant in Tamil Nadu earlier this month and expressed satisfaction over its safety aspects, said nuclear power is one of the “cleanest resource” in achieving independence from fossil fuels.
A nuclear and missile scientist himself, the former President said he went to Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district to understand the plant's safety features and how authorities are addressing the concerns of the locals in the aftermath of Fukushima nuclear mishap.
“It is established that this plant is equipped with the latest technologies when it comes to safety...the structure of the plant has been made with highest safety standards,” he said, addressing a seminar ‘Disaster Risk Reduction: Another Important Route to Poverty Alleviation' here.
His comments come as protests continue unabated in Kudankulam area against the nuclear power project.
Kalam also dismissed the fear of a danger to the plant in the event of a tsunami, saying the wave height would not exceed 5.44 metres, whereas the reactor is located at 8.7 metres height, turbine plant at 8.1 metres, diesel generators at 9.3 metres height and switch yard at a height of 13 metres.
Dwelling into the safety aspects, he said all four important aspects—structural integrity safety, thermal hydraulic safety, radiation safety and neutronic safety --- have been designed with “highest safety standards.”
He said, “Electricity is the most important component in development of the society through small and big industry, agriculture and above all improving the quality of life of every citizen at home and workplace.”
