The news currently hitting the headlines at least in Maharashtra apart from IPL is about the Jaitapur Power Plant. First let us know about the Power Plant. Jaitapur Nuclear Project is a new proposed power project of Nuclear Corporation of India (NPCIL) at Madban village of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra. Indian government believes that Jaitapur project is a safe, environmental friendly and economically viable source of electrical energy to meet the increasing electricity needs of India.
As per the Pendse- Kadrekar committee report in 2006, Areas like Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri in konkan need only 170 watts of electricity. Government has planned to generate 42000 mega watts of electricity from this project which is up to 30 % of India’s total electricity production. Because of this there will be adverse effects on the ecological balance of the Konkan region which is otherwise famous for its natural beauty. Maharashtra faces electricity shortage of 4000 mega watts which can be taken care of by other means of generating electricity apart from nuclear energy.
The land of the villagers of Madban which is captured by the government for this nuclear project is fertile and famous for production of products like Mangoes, Cashew, Coconut, Kokam, Spices and more. But the government maliciously has showed this land as barren and unproductive. Other activities like Rice Production, grass fields for feeding cattle will also be affected because of this nuclear energy project.
“Nate” and other coastal villages will be severely affected because of the radiation generated by the nuclear energy project. Even though this project will affect the marine life of these coastal villages still the government has maintained completely secrecy about this situation. Farmers and Fisherman in these areas are strongly against this project. Although government has agreed to relocate them and give them compensation, these villagers want to continue with their traditional business of farming and fishing.
On 16th May 2009 on the auspicious occasion of “AkhshayTritiya” there was a meeting about this project. Thousands of villagers who were present at the meeting strongly opposed the project, but still Environment and Forest ministry gave no objection certificate to this project which is really shameful. Because of this nuclear energy project the natural beauty, history and culture of the entire Konkan region will be destroyed.
The areas of Jaitapur Madban are also Earthquake prone. Since last 20 years there had been around 93 minor Earthquakes in this region. Many Earthquake specialists who had conducted studies in this region have declared this as earthquake prone. Hot water springs in the areas of Vasai, Vajreshwari, Sangameshwar and Rajapur also come under this belt which is also the matter of concern.
Mumbai-Ratnagiri coastal belt which comes under “Zone 4” is also termed as high risk area. In 1972 government appointed Dr. M.V.Vengurlaker committee to conduct the study on earthquakes. According to this committee “No nuclear plant should be constructed on Zone3, 4 and 5”. Based on these conditions given above, the government should rightfully cancel the construction of Jaitapur power plant.
-To Be Continued…..
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