Karwar: The Uttara Kannada district administration in Karwar has emphasized the importance of being fully prepared to handle any emergencies, particularly in the Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant area, in order to maintain public safety and order. Deputy Commissioner (DC) K. Lakshmipriya stressed the need for swift response and proactive measures to tackle potential risks during any disaster situation.
Speaking at a workshop organized at the District Commissioner’s office on Saturday, Lakshmipriya outlined the essential safety protocols and the responsibilities of various departments in the event of a nuclear emergency in the Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant area.
The Geological Survey of India has identified 439 landslide-prone areas in the district, especially during the monsoon season. The DC emphasized that in the event of a nuclear emergency at the Kaiga plant, immediate precautionary measures must be taken to ensure that schools, hospitals, and residential areas remain unaffected. She also highlighted that all relevant authorities should be on standby and prepared to implement these measures without delay.
The Commissioner further noted that with a well-prepared emergency response plan in place, the district could successfully mitigate the impact of any potential disaster. She assured that the district administration would provide full cooperation to Kaiga’s plant officials during such emergencies.
Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant Senior Technical Engineer Amol Shukla spoke about the plant’s operations, explaining that India currently has only seven nuclear power plants, with Kaiga being one of them, housing four units with a capacity of 220 MW each. He mentioned that nuclear energy is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method of power generation compared to other energy production processes.
Shukla also highlighted that nuclear radiation is used in various medical tests and treatments, and that the radiation levels for all personnel working at the Kaiga plant are monitored daily, with the levels being significantly below the safety thresholds since the plant’s inception.
Senior Technical Engineer Chitranjan added that the Kaiga plant has implemented a three-stage safety protocol to ensure there are no radiation leaks within the plant or its surrounding areas. These safety measures are continuously monitored 24/7, and contingency plans are in place to control any potential leaks. He emphasized that there has never been any incident of radiation leakage at any nuclear power plant in India, including Kaiga.
In the event of a radiation leak inside the plant, immediate action would be taken by the plant authorities to contain it. However, if the radiation spreads beyond the plant’s boundaries, the district administration and other departments will work together to control the situation. The District Disaster Management Authority has also put necessary measures in place to ensure quick response during a nuclear emergency.
The workshop also provided detailed instructions on the causes of nuclear emergencies and the necessary emergency management actions to be taken by various departments.
The workshop was attended by Additional DC Sajid Ahmed Mulla, Senior Technical Engineer Rajesh Pai, Jayaram, and representatives from various departments.
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