Karwar: The Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant is all set to get 2 more additional power generating units soon, each generating 700 mw taking the total tally to 6.
The union government has given its nod for establishing 10 additional nuclear power stations across the country, including two at Kaiga, near Karwar.
The officials have already taken steps to get the required clearance from ministries and departments concerned including the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Atomic Energy Regulating Board.
Each power generating station will be of 700 mw each and the land acquisition process for establishing both units has already been completed. In addition to the power generating units, plans are on the anvil to establish a separate township for senior officials, scientists and staff with full-fledged offices.The officials at Kaiga have been working for last three years to get the required clearances from the central regulatory bodies concerned.
With that process already completed, the proposal to get clearance from the State Pollution Control Board will be submitted during January 2018. On approval, the final clearance from the central bodies will make way the easier for setting up two new plants. In between, the opinion from the public too will be sought to ensure the project moves without further impediments.
Earlier power generating units too faced stiff resistance from public
The first power generating unit of 220 mw capacity was set up in Kaiga in 1999. Subsequently, three more units of the same capacity were established in 2001, 2007 and 2011 respectively. The first and the fourth units have been functioning without interruption for a span of 553 days and 545 days and earned a distinction in the country, being first of their kind.
The union government’s clearance for the 5th and 6th nuclear power generating units at Kaiga comes in the back drop of splendid performance by the existing units. Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant Director Sanjay Kumar has assured of executing the project by addressing all the environmental concerns.
