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Smoke from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant triggers alarm in neighbouring villages

At Idinthakarai, the epicentre of a prolonged anti-nuclear struggle, protesters decided to lay siege to the plant’s township on April 3. Villagers complained that for the last three days they could see smoke billowing out of the plant with a strong odour. “There is a foul smell of burnt tyres, causing irritation to the eyes,”

TNN | Apr 2, 2013, 02.29 AM IST

CHENNAI: Smoke emanating from the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant on Monday set off an alarm among villagers in the areas.

As tests for operationalising unit 1 are underway, residents of Kudankulam and Idinthakkarai villages panicked when they saw smoke billowing out of the plant. Villagers were convinced that the unit had begun to generate power, forcing the company’s site director R S Sundar to clarify that steam was let out as part of the process of testing the plant parameters. The smoke scare comes a few days after a copper smelter plant in Tuticorin shut down, following leak of poisonous gas.

“As part of the commissioning of the unit 1, the relief valves on the steam lines are being tested. These tests are conducted only during day time and only steam is released as part of the test. No tests are being conducted at the plant, which are harmful to the environment and public,” Sundar clarified in an effort to quell rumours.

At the time of testing, more than 1,000 employees of the plant and around 3,000 contract employees were on the premises, Sundar said. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Durban on march 27 that unit 1 of the Russian-built Kudankulam nuclear power plant would be operationalised some time this month.

At Idinthakarai, the epicentre of a prolonged anti-nuclear struggle, protesters decided to lay siege to the plant’s township on April 3. Villagers complained that for the last three days they could see smoke billowing out of the plant with a strong odour. “There is a foul smell of burnt tyres, causing irritation to the eyes,” said R Mildred from Idinthakarai. The People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy has called for the demonstration near the township at Chettikulam.c

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Smoke-from-Kudankulam-Nuclear-Power-Plant-triggers-alarm-in-neighbouring-villages/articleshow/19333849.cms

April 1, 2013 - Posted by arclight2011 | Uncategorized