Question : Leakage in Kakrapar Atomic Power Station

(a) whether the Unit-I of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station had to be shut down due to leakage of heavy water and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for the leakage;

(b) whether radiation affecting human life has been reported and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd./Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has inquired into the matter;

(d) if so, the outcome thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon; and

(e) the further corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government to prevent such incidents in future?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

(a)The Unit-1 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station was shutdown on March 11, 2016 following a leak from the Primary Heat Transport System into the leak tight containment building. The safety systems actuated automatically and the unit was shutdown. The leakage was subsequently located to be from one of the 306 coolant channels in the reactor. The affected channel has been defueled, isolated to arrest the leak.

(b)No, Sir. There was no change in radioactivity/radiation level, neither in the plant premises nor in the public domain.

(c)Yes, Sir.

(d)&(e) The investigation to identify the cause of the leak has been taken up by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). As per the prevailing practice, the lessons and recommendations that would emerge from the investigation would be suitably incorporated.

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