Amid the standoff on the Koodankulam nuclear project, former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has warned that delay in resolving the crisis would lead to “more anti-nuclear energy sentiments” and urged the Prime Minister to resolve the issue “politically and strategically at the earliest”.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Kalam, a strong advocate of nuclear energy, said it was essential to take up the issue with chief minister Jayalalithaa to revive the operations of the KNPP with the “full support of the state government at the earliest”.
“I hope your immediate intervention will bring a win-win settlement at the earliest and enable operationalisation of the KNPP at the earliest which is vital for Tamil Nadu and other states,” he said.
To meet the present power crisis in Tamil Nadu, the Centre may also consider allotment of the full 1,000 MW power generated from KNPP Unit-I, which could be later adjusted towards Tamil Nadu’s share in KNPP Unit-II to the rest of the country, Dr Kalam said in his letter.