Chiru Against Kovvada Nuclear Plant

Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) President K Chiranjeevi on Tuesday appealed to Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh to clear all the hurdles in the path of according a national project status to the Polavaram irrigation project.

Talking to mediapersons after emerging out of a meeting with Jairam Ramesh, the PRP chief stated that the Minister has responded positively to his appeal, and has assured that a decision on the request will be taken soon. Chiranjeevi was accompanied by senior leader Undavalli Arund Kumar during the meeting.

The PRP chief revealed that that he had sought the Union Minister's help in getting a national project status for the Polavaram project. Polavaram provides irrigation water to both Telangana and Seemandhra regions. He also said that he will make efforts to get a national project status for the Pranahita-Chevella projects, too.

Chiranjeevi, who is Congress-bound after his decision to merge the PRP with the Congress, reiterated that the welfare of people was his top priority and that he will continue his fight on all public issues concerning the people of Andhra Pradesh.

The PRP chief also made it clear that he is against the nuclear power plant which is proposed to be established at Kovvada in the Ranasthalam mandal, Srikakulam district, as it would cause environmental havoc and endanger people's lives. Chiranjeevi said that he has urged the Union Environmental Minister to deny clearance for the nuclear power plant as the locals are strongly against the establishment of the plant.

However, the Nuclear Power Corporation Of India Limited (NPCIL) had earlier stated that the Srikakulam district does not fall under a seismically active zone, and that the possibility of any danger due to the nuclear plant in the district is minimal.

The proposed plant will require about 2000 acres of land and will generate about 10,000 MWs of power. The plant is proposed to be constructed at a cost of 1 lakh crore rupees. The government has already earmarked about 1,200 acres of land for the said plant and the locals are up in arms against the government since they will have to part with their land.

Courtesy: INN