Dismissing apprehensions regarding safety of nuclear power plants in the country, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Srikumar Banerjee on Sunday said all reactors are secured as per the international norms. "All atomic energy plants in the country are totally secured as per the international standards and are also capable of dealing with natural calamities like tsunami or earthquake," Banerjee told a gathering. Banerjee was addressing the 28th Foundation Day function of Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RR-CAT).

Security of all nuclear plants was reviewed in the aftermath of the Fukushima incident after concerns were raised, he said. Banerjee also dismissed the reports that fate of nuclear projects in the country is hanging in balance as a result of the Fukushima incident. Referring to Jaitapur (Maharashtra) and Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu), he said, "there is no hurdle in these projects on technical grounds...Inspite of that there is a perception in the minds of people that these projects may be dangerous for them."

To a question on proposed 9,900 MW Jaitapur nuclear power project, the AEC chairman said the plant in Maharashtra's Konkan area will not be any threat to the marine life and also affect the crop of Alfonso mangoes. Banerjee, however, said the consent of locals is necessary for setting up the plant. "We hope that the work on the proposed project will start soon.

However, the license to start this project will be given only when all formalities regarding its security issues are completed and it gets all government clearances," he said. The AEC Chairman stressed the need for increasing the pace of setting up of atomic energy-based power plants in the country, as at present their total contribution in overall power production is just three per cent.