[Reader-list] Koodamkulam Nuclear Plant: A Threat to Kerala

[T Peter]

Press Release
March 23, 2011

Koodamkulam Nuclear Plant: A Threat to Kerala

We would like to express our great concern and deep anxiety about the
deadly radioactive explosion that has happened at the Fukushima
Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan (some 150 miles north of Tokyo).
Both online and television images of the thick white smoke hovering
over the exploded nuclear power plant have come to haunt the world
public opinion. The Japanese authorities have extended the evacuation
zone to 20 kms. Thre are reports that people even beyond the 20 km
radius are fleeing to save the lives of their own and their near and
dear ones.
The dangerous explosion is said to have blown the roof off the reactor
building, brought down walls and caused a very heavy radiation leak.
Even after the plant’s chain reaction was stopped, the fuel rods
continue to produce heat and must be cooled in order to avoid the
meltdown of the fuel. The plant needs a continuous supply of
electricity to run the water pumps and the instruments. Since the
emergency diesel generators at the Daiichi plant failed, pressure
mounted in the reactor, the normal cooling function stopped and
resulted in the explosion.
As the world is gearing up to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the
deadly nuclear power plant accident at Chernobyl on April 26, 2011,
another calamity has stuck the humanity. Chernobyl accident released
1000 times more radiation than Hiroshima bomb and the effects of
radiation reached up to Holland. It is understood today that the
nuclear disaster in Japan is close to the scale of Chernobyl. Hence,
we should be informed about the ways in which radiation canreach our
own home lands.
The Fukushima accident establishes that nobody can assure us total
safety with regards to nuclear power technology. If Fukushima
radiation can end up in Sacramento, California, Kerala will not be
spared. While the nuclear power is getting promoted in a major way in
India the resistance to the plants are also grooming in many parts.
Kerala is the only state which has stopped two nuclear power plants
with public protests. However, it is important to realize that the
Koodamkulam nuclear power plant which is very close to Kerala is also
a big threat to Kerala, especially to southern Kerala. Recently Dr. A.
N. Prasad, an important nuclear department official, has given an
interview to rediff.com that mega nuclear power plants are not safe.
One immediate effect could be the torurism industry. They are building
two 1000 MW Russian
nuclear power plants there and are going to add four more. The sham
public hearing took place on June 2, 2007. With six 1000 MW nuclear
power plants, a reprocessing plant, dangerous nuclear waste, and a
weapons facility (just because Koodankulam is far away from Pakistan
and China), we can be sure that tourism will dwindle gradually. The
sea water is going to be contaminated; fish is going to be
contaminated; the air, food, water and everything will be polluted.
Both Indian and foreign tourists will avoid our sea and sea food. Even
if these accidents and attacks do not happen, the daily intake of
radionuclides and low-level radiation will do enough damage to our
people in Trivandrum, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alleppey districts.
Tourism Department in Kerala will have to redefine the slogan of
Kerala from ‘God’s Own Country’ to ‘Devil’s own country’.
In the light of the above situation, we demand that the Koodankulam
nuclear power plant be shut down immediately. Common sense would
instruct us not to tread this path of Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and
Fukushima but generate energy from safe and sustainable sources.
A protest in front of the secretariat with a poster campaign will take
place at 10.30 am on 24th March. A public meeting and a film screening
will follow at 5PM at the press club, Tvm.


Dr.S.P.Udayakumar -National Alliance of Anti-Nuclear Movements (NAAM),
T.Peter, Kerala Swatantra Matsyathozhilali Federation (KSMTF), R.Biju-
SUCI, V.Harilal - KSSP, Sudheer.A. - Solidarity Youth Movement,Baburaj
- Pedestrian Pictures,Sajeer.A.R. - Kerala Tourism Watch, Pushparayan
- Coastal Peoples Federation (Tamilnadu), K.P.Sasi - Documentary Film Maker

Contact : T. Peter, President, KSMTF (09447429243)