Amid the stand-off on the Kudankulam nuclear project, former President, Mr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, has warned that delay in resolving the crisis would lead to “more anti-nuclear energy sentiments” and urged the Prime Minister to resolve the issue “politically and strategically at the earliest’’.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Kalam, a strong advocate of nuclear energy, said it was essential to take up the issue with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms Jayalalithaa, to revive the project operations with the “full support of the state government at the earliest’’.
“I hope your immediate intervention will bring a win-win settlement at the earliest and enable operationalisation of KNPP at the earliest which is vital for Tamil Nadu and other states”, he said.
To meet the present power crisis in Tamil Nadu, the Centre may also consider allotment of the full 1,000 MW power generated from KNPP Unit-I, which could be later adjusted towards Tamil Nadu’s share in KNPP Unit-II to the rest of the country, Mr Kalam said.
The former President said despite the sound safety principles on which KNPP has been established, there was continuing agitation in that area and the state government wanted more to be done to allay the local people’s fears.
“I feel the more we delay in resolving the Kudankulam crisis, the more anti-nuclear energy sentiments in India will gain momentum. Hence, it is essential to resolve this issue politically and strategically at the earliest”, he said.