K-unit to ease power crisis

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The state government decision to go ahead with the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) would be a relief to the people of state who are reeling under more than eight hours of power cut. The power cut in the districts would be brought down by at least an hour once the nuke plant is commissioned.

The state would get 463 MW as its share in the commissioning of the first unit of 2X1000 MW reactor. As on January 2012, work on the first unit was 99 per cent complete and 94.6 per cent in the second unit.

A senior TNEB official said that the green signal given to the nuke plant would go a long way in helping it to meet the power situation in the state. “Chief minister Jayalalithaa has taken the decision considering the prevailing power situation in the state,” the official said.

The commissioning of the plant will bring down the power deficit by one sixth to 2,500 MW. At present, the electricity demand stands at 11,500 MW , the total availability from internal generation, share from Central generating station and other sources is 8,500 MW.

3-tier security, back up team for plant
The state police has put in a three-tier security in place in and around Koodankulam plant with unprecedented backing by quick reaction teams from the CRPF even as anti-nuclear activist Udayakumar intensified his agitation by declaring ‘fast-unto-death’.

Police sources said the police would pick up Udayakumar probably early Tuesday moring even as the work in the nuclear power plant began.

At least four companies of quick reaction teams from the CRPF have been rushed to provide security to Koodankulam plant and nearby areas. “Four companies of QRT are on their way to Koodankulam,” said a senior CRPF official. The arms wielding CRPF men will take control of the plant and neighbouring area from Tuesday.

Apart from the CRPF cover, the state police had also given three-tier security for the plant. “Over 2,000 policemen are deployed in the area. Work inside the plant has begun,” said S George, additional director general of police, law and order, on Monday.

The police said that they had picked up over 180 people including 11 leaders of the group protesting against the nuclear plant. Officials indicated that the arrested leaders of the protest group might be booked under the National Security Act.

The state authorities have declared section 144 (unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapon) in the area for the next month.