Known sources for generation of power like hydrocarbon, hydro, wind energy etc have
limitations ,leaving two viable future options of solar(limitations of cost etc) and nuclear.
Nuclear, more so due to the availability of 1/3rd of the world’s thorium reserves. With
this aim, expansion of nuclear power generation in the country was extremely crucial for
India’s energy security and directly linked to India’s economic growth.
Fukushima-Review
NDMA also carried out statewise reviews of plants in all six states, except Jaitapur and
Koodankulum giving interesting perspectives. Even in Tarapur there had been a two day
program with a workshop and a mock exercise.
It was understood that stiff opposition within the country towards Nuclear energy had
several reasons both genuine and others guided by vested interests.
NDMA’s role
Aiming at world class preparedness, the NDMA had organized more than 400 mock
excercises in last few years covering different disasters in different regions. The mega
mock exercise for earthquake preparedness in Delhi recently was an example of the
initiative and these were not to be measured merely in terms of participation but also
generation of mass scale awareness and gap finding. AERB mandated mock exercises
were also being carried out every two years.
Understanding that records of safety were not enough, the NDMA discovered the need to
go into the field, look at the preparedness at grassroots level, evaluated the possibility of
offsite nuclear disasters, and thus had stipulations in place.
India is well prepared to deal with most disasters inspite of some lacunae in harnessing
S&T . Mobile radiation detection systems, incident response systems ,GIS platform and
modeling had been inculcated to strengthen the framework.
ISSUES
Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) had been doing lot however more needed to
be done to instill confidence in the minds of the people.
PROSPECTS
There was a need to look at things in totality with transparency in thinking and to evolve
a roadmap to improve in a systematic and scientific manner. High priority was being
accorded to monitoring equipment and upgrading disaster response facilities. These
facilities were likely to be in disuse for long until any disaster occurred, but preparedness
was to be maintained.
States have been asked to prepare plans covering 16 km emergency zones near the NPPs,
which has not been attempted in the past. There have been suggestions of Rs 200 crore
development plans. Karnataka was the first to come up with such a plan which included
widening of roads, construction of new shortcut roads, footbridges, sanitation, electricity,
drinking water, school, government buildings and health .Other states are being
encouraged to do the same. More funds were not impossibility and NPCIL could be
encouraged to look at corporate social responsibility and more to generate funds.
Disaster management India is at a stage of work in progress and lot more needs to be
done. Once the concerns on safety are addressed adequately, resistance to expansion of
nuclear power generation in the country will come down. Challenges can only be resolved
with sustained efforts and this is extremely important in the context of energy security of
the country.
Concluding, General Nirbhay Sharma, Distinguished Fellow ORF thanked Mr Reddy and
commended his unique insights emerging from a rare combination of being a politician
and scholar with a scientific temperament. Major General J K Bansal, Member NDMA,
representatives from Japanese, Czech, Canadian and Australian embassies, guests and
ORF faculty were in attendance.