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The construction of a nuclear power plant in Kudankulam district of Tamil Nadu has been hit hard by constant roadblocks. Thousands of anti-nuke protesters have continuously opposed the plant fearing a Fukushima (Japan) like disaster. Almost a million people live within a 30 km radius of the plant, which according to the protestors is a gross violation of safety norms set by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. The anti-nuke activists argue that any disaster will take a huge toll on the human life.
SP Udaykumar who heads the agitation under People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy, has vehemently opposed the Kudankulam plant terming it ‘highly unsafe’ and blamed the government for ignoring the safety concerns of those living in the close vicinity of the plan. The issue has triggered severe protests against the plant, leading to the arrest of several anti-nuke activists who were charged with sedition. Though work on the plant is almost complete, energy production is expected to start only early next year. The first unit of the plant has a capability of producing 1000 MW of energy.
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