SC dismisses plea against Kudankulam plant, says nuclear energy important for growth

The Supreme Court has rejected a plea seeking a stay on the commissioning of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu.

A bunch of petitions was filed by anti-nuclear activists challenging the project on the ground that safety measures recommended for the plant by an expert body have not been put in place.

A bench comprising Justices KS Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra had earlier reserved its verdict following marathon arguments in the last three months.

The apex court on Monday disposed of the suit, with a direction to the government to submit a report on the compliance of all safety steps before the plant is commissioned.

The bench issued detailed directions to the government on the safety and the monitoring of the plant's operations.

The court said nuclear energy is extremely important for the country's growth and a balance has to be struck between the right to life and sustainable development.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is under construction in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli District. The progress has been delayed due to anti-nuclear protests by the locals and People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy.

While concurring with the directions and the commissioning of the plant, Justice Misra said the larger public interest should prevail over the minor inconveniences that may be caused to the people.

The apex court said various expert groups have opined that there would be no impact on the life around the plant because of radiation.

However, the Centre, the Tamil Nadu government and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), which operates the plant, have refuted all allegations on safety and security aspects. They told the court that the plant is completely safe and can withstand any kind of natural disaster and external terrorist attack.

Directing NPCIL and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board to take all the steps for ensuring the safety of the plant, Justice Misra said in the case of nuclear power plants, there should not be any lapse in operations and the grammar of their safety has to be different.

With inputs from agencies