Question : KUDANKULAM PROJECT

(a) whether India and Russia have finally agreed on the cost of the proposed nuclear power project at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(b) the time by which the work on the project is likely to be commenced;

(d) whether any demand has been made for in-built adequate safety measures in the plant;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) the details of the indigenous and imported technologies for the project;

(g) whether any request has been made for ensuring minimum facilities like housing, hospital and drinking water in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu where the plant is proposed to be set up; and

(h) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF ATOMIC ENERGY AND SPACE (SHRIMATI VASUNDHARA RAJE)


(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) The Government of India has accorded financial sanction for the construction of Kudankulam Atomic Power Project (Unit 1&2) 2x1000 Advanced Light Water Reactors at a cost of Rs.13,171 crore which comprises of Russian Credit and Indian funding at a debt:equity ratio of 1:1 with equity in the form of Government budgetary support, considering Russian Credit as debt.

(c) The scheduled date for start of construction of Kudankulam Project is May 2002. Setting up of essential infrastructure works has been taken up and the same is in progress.

(d) & (e) The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board(AERB) has given the clearance for construction of Kudankulam Atomic Power Project. The AERB issues clearances for the construction of Nuclear Power Plants at various stages only after ensuring that all safety provisions are in place. The design of Kudankulam Atomic Power project embodies appropriate, reliable and diverse safety systems with redundancy features incorporated.

(f) The Russian organisation will carry out the entire design of the plant and also supply material and equipments for the entire plant. The Indian side is responsible for design and development of infrastructure, construction, erection, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the plant.


(g) & (h) As per the standard practice, the full township with all necessary facilities including hospital, water supply, education etc. are planned. These facilities will meet the requirements during construction as well as subsequently, during operation and maintenance.