Indian Protesters Ask for Closure Tamil Nadu Nuclear Power Plant

Indian activists are seeking the closure of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant.

Tamil Nadu politicians are merely seeking to halt work on the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, which is scheduled to come online later this year, until local concerns are addressed.

People's Movement against Atomic Power representative S.P. Udhaya commented, "Is an Indian life cheaper than the profits you will get from the Russians, or the Americans or the French?"

Two activist organizations submitted their concerns to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a meeting, The Hindu newspaper reported. The petitioners included political activists and church leaders who have been leading local efforts against Kudankulam, urging that the project be abandoned.

Several hundred villagers are now protesting against the Kudankulam nuclear power plant and have decided to indefinitely fast near the proposed site.

Singh subsequently wrote to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa that the government would give high regard to "safety, livelihood and security of the people" while building Kundakulam, noting, "For a large and fast growing economy like ours, and given the volatility and uncertainty of international energy markets, it is in our national interest that we tap all sources of energy, and diversify our energy mix."

By. Charles Kennedy, Deputy Editor OilPrice.com