Denying any plans to dump the nuclear waste generated from the Kudankulam reactor, once it becomes operational, in the defunct gold mines at Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Karnataka, minister of state in PMO V. Narayanasamy said the uranium waste from the plant nearing completion in Tirunelveli in the state will not be dumped at all.
“The nuclear waste will not be taken to KGF. The chances of getting nuclear wastes from Kudankulam plant are very less and it will be recycled at the plant site itself,” he assured.
Allaying the apprehensions of the public in the wake of media reports that the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd has decided to dump uranium waste in KGF, he told reporters here on Saturday, “I had spoken to Central minister K. H. Muniyappa (who hails from Kolar district) and also discussed with senior officials of my department. On behalf of the department, I firmly say uranium waste will not be taken there.”
The issue has been snowballing in the neighbouring state where normal life was affected in KGF on Friday owing to a bandh called by various political parties protesting against the Centre’s reported move.