(a) the deficiencies listed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board report prepared in 1995 regarding safety measures at the nuclear installations in the country;
(b) the action taken on the report;
(c) whether the Government are satisfied with the present status of safety system of the nuclear installations in the country; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
(SMT. VASUNDHARA RAJE)
(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.528 FOR ANSWER ON 3/5/2000 REGARDING SAFETY
OF NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS BY SHRI T.T.V. DHINAKARAN :
(a) During 1995, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)
prepared a report on the safety status of installations
of the Department of Atomic Energy(DAE). This report
detailed the evaluations and safety upgradations which
are required in the installations of the Department of
Atomic Energy. The report was based on the proceedings
and recommendations of various Committees over the past
decade as well as on the reports of other safety studies
carried out from time to time by the Nuclear Power
Corporation (NPCIL) and DAE.
The areas of possible safety upgradations identified in
the document include desirable improvements and
modifications in the emergency core-cooling systems and
reactors, further evaluations and in-depth inspection of
zircalloy pressure tubes in Pressurized Heavy Water
Reactors (PHWRs) for their integrity, improvements which
could further reduce the collective radiation exposure to
occupational workers, means to lower the potential for
leakage from radioactive waste management systems, the
evaluation of structural response to earthquake forces
in some of the facilities, the preventive measures related
to fire safety and flooding. A total of 134 such issues
were listed in the report.
(b) AERB and the concerned DAE installations had jointly
prepared corrective actions for each of the items
identified. The progress in the implementation of the
action plans is being continuously monitored by AERB.
Of the 134 issues, 90 were closed after completion of
agreed action plans, 23 issues which are of continuous
nature are being followed up by the Safety Review Committee
for Operating Plants (SARCOP). The remaining 21 issues
are being followed by a dedicated cell set up in the
AERB. None of the 21 issues warrant restrictive action
on any nuclear installations.
Out of the 21 safety issues which are being followed
up, one item related to modification and updating of
the off-site emergency preparedness manual in the
nuclear power stations has been completed. Out of the
remaining 20, there is significant progress in the
following two items.
(i) The training simulator at the Kaiga Generating
Station has been installed. Operators have
started training in the simulator.
(ii) The rod Worth Minimiser(RWM) has been installed,
commissioned and is in operation in Unit#2 of
Tarapur Atomic Power Station. The same is being
installed at Unit#1 of Tarapur Atomic Power
Station.
(c) Yes, Sir. However, in line with the general practices,
safety upgradation is a continuous process.
(d) Does not arise.