Jaitapur nuclear project will have ''adverse impact'' on Konkan green belt: Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena has sent a detailed report on the Jaitapur nuclear power plant project to PM Narendra Modi highlighting the "adverse impact" it would have on the Konkan green belt.

Mumbai: Voicing its staunch opposition to the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, the Shiv Sena has sent a detailed report on the project to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the "adverse impact" it would have on the green belt in Maharashtra's Konkan region.

The MPs of Sena, which is strongly against the 10,000 MW nuclear power project, had met Modi a few months back and conveyed to him their apprehensions over the plant.

Sena leader and Environment Minister in the BJP-led state government, Ramdas Kadam said he has sent a detailed report to Modi on how the project will affect the green cover in Konkan and the impact it will have on marine life in the nearby region.

"I have prepared a detailed report running into 418 pages that includes objections of the Konkan Bachao Samiti, report of Madhavrao Gadgil committee, report of public hearing by Dr B J Waghmare Janhit Samiti and also report of public hearing of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to the Jaitapur project," Kadam said.

"After the disaster in Japan's nuclear power plant (a few years back), the European Union ordered 'stress test' on all of its 143 reactors, whereas Germany too had announced ending the use of nuclear energy and promotion of renewable energy," he pointed out.

Questioning the use of nuclear power at a time when the "world is re-thinking on using nuclear power", Kadam said India should instead focus on green and solar-powered energy.

According to a report submitted by the Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography, 24 species of marine seaweeds and 6 species of mangroves would be destroyed by the effluents discharged in the Arabian Sea from the nuclear plant, as per the minister.

Kadam asserted that the ruling ally will not allow the Centre and the state government to pursue the project.

"We have a bonding with the people of Konkan region and with the environment of the place. We are not against development, but it should not happen at the cost of an adverse impact on environment," Kadam said.

The Jaitapur project is to come up in the state's Ratnagiri district, where French company Areva will set up six nuclear reactors with a total power generation capacity of about 10,000 MW.

The project, that was among the 17 pacts signed between the two countries during Modi's visit to France, has been stuck for long following protests and differences over the cost of electricity to be generated.