Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

Nuclear Power Plants Collectively Spend ₹663 In CSR Activities

December 9, 2022
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

Nuclear power plants in India collectively as part of Corporate Social Responsibility and other obligations have spent 70% of the total amount ₹663 crore on developing infrastructure facilities in the villages around nuclear power plant sites, informed Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, in the Parliament in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

A special Neighbourhood Development Programme (NDP) for areas in the vicinity of Kudankulam site was implemented at a cost of ₹500 crore for infrastructure development (₹200 crore) and housing (₹300 crore).

The minister also said measures for safe storage and management of Spent Fuel and nuclear & radioactive wastes are in place at all nuclear power plant sites including Kalpakkam and Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu.

After its use in reactor, the spent fuel is kept in water-filled storage pools and is under continuous monitoring. In case of Kudankulam, as the fuel is under IAEA safeguards, security of stored spent fuel is also ensured by IAEA inspectors. Spent fuel storage pools are designed as per AERB guidelines, which is in line with international regulatory practices, he informed.