Kalam vouches for plant safety

Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has said he is fully satisfied with the safety features of the nuclear reactors at Koodankulam nuclear power project (KKNPP). Speaking to mediapersons after inspecting the nuclear power plant at Koodankulam on Sunday, he also categorically stated that he has no intention of mediating between the KKNPP administration and the agitating people — however, he wished that KKNPP would become a big a nuclear complex.
Reacting to a question on whether he would use his good offices to mediate between the KKNPP administration and the people protesting against the project, Dr Kalam said, “I am not here to mediate. I came here to talk with the scientists and technicians.”
Dr Kalam, who, however, had a brief meeting with 40 specially invited representatives from 17 villages around the nuclear power project site at KKNPP, told mediapersons that though he was willing to meet the protesters, he would not go to Idinthakarai. “Let them come here to meet me; I am ready for that,” said Dr Kalam, who also gave his e-mail ID — apj@abdulkalam.com [1] — and said anybody could contact him through e-mail with doubts about the safety aspects at KKNPP.
“As a scientist and technician, I visualise KKNPP becoming a big nuclear complex with a generation capacity of 6,000 MW in the next 10 years,” he said, and stated that the development triggered by the nuclear power project would enhance the economic status of every family in the region.
Contradicting the allegations of NPCIL chairman and managing director S.K. Jain and Union minister Narayanasamy that the agitation has an international conspiracy behind it, Dr Kalam said, “I am not taught by my teachers to find fault with other people.”
Responding to Dr Kalam’s visit, protest committee coordinator S.P. Udayakumar said the ex-president’s statement about safety and his desire to see KKNPP become a big nuclear complex was not surprising as he had already expressed his support for the project. Mr Udayakumar added that Dr Kalam’s visit will have no impact on their struggle and it will go on till their goal is achieved.