Lankan Ranger
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Russia wants West Bengal nuclear plant relocated
The government is looking at allotting another site for nuclear reactor to Russia in place of Haripur in West Bengal, a location marred by controversy. Confirming that the Russians have officially sought another site, government sources indicated a new site could be allotted soon.
The Mamta Banerjee-led government in the state announced last month that it was going to scrap the project, but it did not prevent Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from making a strong case for nuclear energy when he visited Kolkata later.
"There is no decision yet but we are looking at the request from the Russians. We can allot another site to them," said a senior government source. The Russians have been expressing concern about protests in Haripur since last year, but the government was still hopeful of a way out. With Mamata's regime not relenting, the Centre has been forced to think of other alternative sites.
West Bengal power minister said in the assembly last month that the government would not allow any nuclear power plant to be set up in the state. Russia's state-owned nuclear power equipment and service giant Rosatom had asked the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to consider allotting it another site for the plant.
The coastal region of Haripur had been allotted by the Centre to Russia because of its low population density. The proposed plant had acquired all necessary environmental clearances in January, 2010. Haripur was said to have the potential for six reactor units. It had been earmarked initially for two 1,000mw power plants and the construction work was to commence this year.
However, after the protests led by Trinamool Congress started to gain momentum last year even then state's ruling party CPM tried to distance itself from the project dubbing it was Centre's brainchild.
Rosatom chief Sergei Kiriyenko had earlier said that a total of 12 nuclear power units were to be built at Kudankulam and Haripur. Haripur was said to be an important part of the Centre's plans for achieving its target of generating 30,000MW of nuclear power by 2030.
Russia wants West Bengal nuclear plant relocated - The Times of India
The government is looking at allotting another site for nuclear reactor to Russia in place of Haripur in West Bengal, a location marred by controversy. Confirming that the Russians have officially sought another site, government sources indicated a new site could be allotted soon.
The Mamta Banerjee-led government in the state announced last month that it was going to scrap the project, but it did not prevent Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from making a strong case for nuclear energy when he visited Kolkata later.
"There is no decision yet but we are looking at the request from the Russians. We can allot another site to them," said a senior government source. The Russians have been expressing concern about protests in Haripur since last year, but the government was still hopeful of a way out. With Mamata's regime not relenting, the Centre has been forced to think of other alternative sites.
West Bengal power minister said in the assembly last month that the government would not allow any nuclear power plant to be set up in the state. Russia's state-owned nuclear power equipment and service giant Rosatom had asked the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to consider allotting it another site for the plant.
The coastal region of Haripur had been allotted by the Centre to Russia because of its low population density. The proposed plant had acquired all necessary environmental clearances in January, 2010. Haripur was said to have the potential for six reactor units. It had been earmarked initially for two 1,000mw power plants and the construction work was to commence this year.
However, after the protests led by Trinamool Congress started to gain momentum last year even then state's ruling party CPM tried to distance itself from the project dubbing it was Centre's brainchild.
Rosatom chief Sergei Kiriyenko had earlier said that a total of 12 nuclear power units were to be built at Kudankulam and Haripur. Haripur was said to be an important part of the Centre's plans for achieving its target of generating 30,000MW of nuclear power by 2030.
Russia wants West Bengal nuclear plant relocated - The Times of India
