People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE)
Idinthakarai 627 104
Tirunelveli District
KKNPP
Leaks and Repairs: More Questions and No Answers
Since the NPCIL and DAE authorities are tight-lipped about
the current condition of the KKNPP, recurrent rumors are making rounds here in
our area that that there have been some 40 deaths, that the contract workers at
KKNPP have been asked not to report for duty, and that KKNPP-1 has been
completely sealed. Southern Tamil Nadu is agog with such and worse rumors about
the KKNPP as Union Minister Mr. Narayanasami makes terse, incomplete and
irresponsible statements about leaks and repairs at the KKNPP without giving
any details to the public. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Chief Dr. R.
K. Sinha said on January 18 that there was "no major issue behind delay in
Kudankulam commissioning." But he stopped short of telling the real truth
about the project.
Would somebody tell the complete truth about the KKNPP
please? What are the "minor" issues that are plaguing the KKNPP? How
are they being rectified? Russian nuclear industry is said to be in a bad shape
with reactor cancellations and delays because of cracks and shoddy equipment.
Zio-Podolsk, owned by the Russian company Rosatom, is under investigation for
shoddy
equipment it produced for several nuclear plants in Russia and abroad since 2007. It's suspected that "Zio-Podolsk" used wrong type of steel (cheaper than the one originally required) to produce equipment for nuclear plants, such as steam generators. This company has supplied several equipment and parts to the KKNPP. Is it true or not?
equipment it produced for several nuclear plants in Russia and abroad since 2007. It's suspected that "Zio-Podolsk" used wrong type of steel (cheaper than the one originally required) to produce equipment for nuclear plants, such as steam generators. This company has supplied several equipment and parts to the KKNPP. Is it true or not?
According to the DAE and the NPCIL authorities, they
completed the fuel loading at KKNPP-1 on October 2, 2012 and it has been four
months of testing and reporting leaks and repairs. And what is
leaking? Should those of us who live in the vicinity be worried about our and
our family’s safety and well-being?
Interestingly enough, the project cost is said to have risen
by some Rs. 4,000 crores more than the estimated cost. What is the actual end
cost of the KKNPP 1 and 2? What is the breakdown of this huge amount? Did
anyone in India and Russia get commissions and bribes?
"Atomstroyexport" has just released its financial statement for 2011.
The company claims that losses in 2011 were twice bigger than the losses of
2010, and that the company is on the brink of bankruptcy. This has seriously
affected the Russian nuclear projects at Koodankulam in India and Busher in
Iran <http://www.interfax.ru/business/txt.asp?id=283928>.
Is the Indian government secretly helping the Russian company with its loss and
bankruptcy? Will somebody institute a thorough inquiry on the actual cost of
and the over-spending on KKNPP? People of India want to know the truth.
Why is the Tirunelveli Collector, Mr. Samaymoorthi, so
deafeningly silent about the KKNPP leaks and repairs? Isn't he responsible for
all off-site safety and emergency issues and concerns? Why are the Chief
Minister and all the ministers of Tamil Nadu silent? Aren’t they worried about
the safety and well-being of the Tamils? Why doesn't the DMK Chief speak about
the KKNPP leaks and repairs? After all, his Party is part of the UPA government
at the Center and he is a vociferous supporter of the KKNPP. Where is the Tamil
Nadu opposition leader Mr. Vijayakanth? Does he know about the leaks and
repairs at KKNPP? Why does Minister Mr. Narayanasami alone speak about the
KKNPP leaks and repairs? Where is the Atomic Energy minister, Dr. Manmohan
Singh? Why do they refuse to speak? Do they want only our votes and their
power?
If the KKNPP suffers all these leaks and repairs, how did
Dr. Abdul Kalam, Dr. M. R. Srinivasan, Dr. Muthunayagam and his Expert Team,
and Dr. Iniyan and his expert committee give out the "best and brightest"
certificates to the KKNPP one after another? Were they all speaking non-truths?
Why are they silent now?
In the light of the above situation, the PMANE demands a
White Paper on the actual happenings of the KKNPP along with the Site
Evaluation Report (SER), Safety Analysis Report (SAR), Emergency Preparedness
Plan (EPP), VVER-1000/412 performance report in the larger interests of the
people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. If they ignore our demand and do not respond
in 15 days, we will lay another siege to the KKNPP.