Question : Security of Nuclear Power Plants

(a) whether reports of incidents expressing doubts about security of nuclear power plants in the country have come to the notice of the Government and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is aware of any reports indicating the trespassing of two French investigative journalists into a prohibited zone belonging to Indian Rare Earths Limited in Tamil Nadu; and

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken to conduct a review of safety of such installations including nuclear power plants and vital installations of such capability?

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

(a) No, Sir.

(b)&(c) On 26.11.2018, two French nationals, namely Mr. Arthur Roland Rene and Mr. Jules Damien approached Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), Manavalakurichi unit, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, along with the Parish Priest of Managudi, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, FrKildos, seeking appointment of the HRM Head. The premises of IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi unit, is classified as ‘Prohibited Place’ and entry of Foreign Nationals is not allowed without prior security clearance from Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) as per Standard Operating Procedures and the DAE Guidelines pertaining to permitting entry of Foreign Nationals into DAE premises. Hence, the foreign nationals were denied entry. Also, considering the event as significant unusual occurrence, local police authorities were notified of the incident. Subsequently, FIR no. 165 dated 28.11.2018 was filed at Manavalakurichi Police Station by the Security in Charge of IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi Unit.

(i) Internal security audit was conducted and the following security measures were adopted in IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi Unit:

(a) Regular Security sensitization Programmes are conducted as a part of security awareness to all employees including contractors/contractual labourers employed in the Unit.

(b) Security sensitization Programmes have also been conducted for the fishermen folk in the adjoining villages close to the unit who are deployed for collection of beach washings which is used as raw material for mining separation at our unit.

(c) Action has been taken to reinforce CCTV coverage at sensitive areas.

(ii) Post incident visit: Inspector General (Security) DAE reviewed the security arrangements of IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi Unit on 14.02.2019.


(iii) All operating nuclear power plants in the country are under security cover of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and integrated security systems including electronic Surveillance systems, are in place to deter security breach.


(iv) Access control mechanisms are provided at critical locations to ensure that unauthorized entry is prevented. These systems are subjected to periodic audits, regulatory verification and validation. The security systems / arrangements are also reviewed periodically and necessary upgrades carried out based on various inputs received from the central and state security agencies.

(v) Security is accorded highest priority in Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and adequate measures are taken to ensure that it is maintained at the state of the art.
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