Shutdown of KKNPP not possible: AEC chief

CHENNAI: Ruling out the stoppage of trials going on in the nuclear power project in Koodankulam, Atomic Energy Commission of India’s Chairman Srikumar Banerjee said “minimal maintenance activity” was required so that the project proceeded smoothly. Arriving in Chennai on Saturday, Banerjee said that any stoppage of trials would pose great risk to the workers and the protestors.Since the hot run at power plant I has come “very close to completion,” the cooling apparatus needs to continue its monitored circulation, he said.   “The coolant should not be allowed to stagnate as it will create problems in the future. Minimum maintenance activity is required for the health of the plant and its future,” he added.  Refusing to speculate on what the recommendations of the Prime Minister’s special panel were likely to be, Banerjee indicated that the reactor could be operated safely with the few workers inside, despite the protestors blocking people from entering or leaving.  He also echoed the statement made by Chairman of NPCIL, S K Jain, that a nuclear power plant was not a car to  be switched on and off anytime, and that the protests were damaging the plant.