Chiru to oppose nuclear power plant in Srikakulam

Praja Rajyam Party president K Chiranjeevi on Tuesday appealed to Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh to clear all the hurdles in the path of according National Project status for Polavaram irrigation project.

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

Mr Chiranjeevi revealed that that he asked the Union Minister to clear hurdles for according National Project status to Polavaram, which provides irrigation water to both Telangana and Seemandhra regions. The PRP leader also said that he would make efforts for getting National Project status for Pranahita-Chevella projects too.

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

 The PRP chief also made it clear he was opposed to nuclear power plant proposed to be established at Kovvada in Ranasthalam mandal in Srikakulam district as it would cause environmental havoc and endanger the lives of people. He said he has asked the Union Environmental Minister not to give environmental clearance for the nuclear power plant as the locals are strongly opposed to the plant.

Meanwhile, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited had already said that any possibility of any danger to a nuclear plant in the district is minimal, since Srikakulam district does not fall under a seismically active zone.

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