Question : Under Construction Nuclear Reactors

(a) the details and projected progress to be made on six nuclear reactors under construction and planning in Jaitapur site;

(b) the details of practices that are supposed to be undertaken to prevent any nuclear leaks in the ongoing projects in Jaitapur district;

(c) whether any tentative date of completion has been extended on the projects undertaken and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(d) the details of the land acquisition between such corridors along with the details of land acquired and compensation and rehabilitation undertaken; and

(e) whether Bhabha Atomic Research Centre will use the given projects to develop technologies and radiopharmaceuticals for health services?

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

(a) The Government has accorded ‘In-Principle’ approval of the site at Jaitapur in Maharashtra for setting up six nuclear power reactors of 1650 MW each in technical cooperation with France.

Land for the project and residential township has been acquired. Required statutory clearances have been obtained. Site infrastructure and technology independent site investigation works are in progress at various stages. Presently, techno - commercial discussions with M/s. Electricite de France (EdF), France are in progress to arrive at a project proposal in line with the Industrial Way Forward Agreement (IWFA) concluded between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, (NPCIL) and EdF, France.

(b) Highest priority is accorded to safety in all aspects of nuclear power viz. siting, design, construction, commissioning, and operation. Nuclear power plants are designed adopting safety principles of redundancy, diversity and provided fail-safe design features following a defence-in-depth approach, in line with codes and guides of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

(c) The project schedule would emerge on finalization of the project proposal and accord of administrative approval and financial sanction of the same by the Government.

(d) A total of 938.026 hectares of predominantly barren land (692.311 hectares for Plant site + 245.715 hectares for Residential Complex) was acquired for the Jaitapur project. There is no displacement of population involved. Initially, the compensation awarded for the total land acquired as per the prevailing provisions of Maharashtra state R&R policy was Rs.14.77 crore. Subsequently, the state Government in 2013 announced an ex gratia of Rs. 22.5 lakh per hectare amounting to Rs. 211.05 crore. The total compensation was deposited by NPCIL with the state government. An agreement on a Rehabilitation Package was signed between NPCIL and the Maharashtra Government which is being implemented. The R&R package inter alia includes upgrading of Civic Amenities in four villages and their maintenance, provision of employment to one person from each Project Affected Families in Group C&D subject to their eligibility and availability of vacancy in JNPP or lump sum cash compensation of Rs 5 lakhs in lieu of employment, suitable training and skill development to Project Affected Persons (PAPs), rehabilitation grant and other benefits.

(e) No, Sir.

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