M V Ramana, a physicist by training, currently working with the Nuclear Futures Laboratory and the Program on Science and Global Security, Princeton University discusses with Newsclick the current nuclear scenario in India. He speaks on how, in terms of cost and in terms of safety, dependence on nuclear energy is not feasible. He cautions that imported light water reactors are problematic and India should not rely on them.

A Gopalakrishnan, in the second part of the Newsclick interview, says there is a de-emphasis on the nuclear energy programme all over the world, mainly due to the rising costs and concerns over public safety. He says there is a growing interest in the renewable sources of energy, specially the wind and solar energy.

A Gopalakrishnan, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) reveals that US Nuclear Experts & General Electric officials had advised the shutting down of the Tarapur 1 and 2 units, 17 years back in 1996, as they are unsafe. The Tarapur reactors are older than the Fukushima reactors. They are faced with many problems. Referring to Tarapur, Gopalakrishnan cautions that we are sitting on the brink of a disaster. In a discussion with Newsclick on the current Nuclear energy programme in India, Gopalakrishnan talks about the escalating costs and the feasibility of nuclear power.

The National Committee in Solidarity with Jaitapur Struggle had written to the PM on August, 2012 that the costly imported Areva reactors would result in very expensive power to the consumers. It had also brought out that apart from high costs, there are major concerns with the Jaitapur project.

Even as LARR is being publicly debated, Haryana Govt. acquires land for its NPP, in violation of many rules and principles.

If India is indeed serious about a nuclear energy program, it needs to create a proper safety organisation. A safety audit without an independent regulatory body is of little value. Writes Prabir Purkayastha 

If Fukushima gives a pause in this rush for costly and and untested imported light water reactors, at least we can say that this Government has an open mind. Otherwise, we will have to conclude that there is a different agenda at play, divorced from the need for nuclear energy.

The ongoing nuclear incidents involving the Fukushima reactor in earthquake/tsunami affected Japan has posed serious questions already to the nuclear industry in India as well. Prabir Purkayastha writes.