Nuclear power 'dependable, clean' energy option: PM

Singh pointed out that the pace of economic development, as had taken place under the UPA regime, could only be maintained if the government increased energy supplies to industries, farmers and the common households.  

“We will have to tap all available resources like hydro, thermal, gas, wind, solar and nuclear energy. At the same time, we will have to ensure that pollution is kept under check,” he said.

Singh said that power generation had increased manifold in the last 10 years, and added that the country now has an installed capacity of 4800MW of nuclear power.  The aim was to generate more than 27,000MW of nuclear power in the next 10 years, he said.

Talking about the Gorakhpur plant, Singh said that half the power produced by it would be allocated to Haryana to enable it to meet the energy demands of the rural and industrial sectors.

“The people of this region should get the maximum benefit (from the project)... Compensation has been paid by government. An annual royalty will also be given for the next 33 years,” he said, touching upon the needs of the local people who might have been affected by the project.  

As part of the first phase of the project, 8,000 to 10,000 people are expected to get employment. Besides, new avenues of employment will also be generated and priority for these would be given to locals, he said.