Raichur Civic Forum Voices Strong Opposition to Nuclear Power Plant Proposal
The District Civic Forum in Raichur has taken a firm stance against the Union government's initiative to explore establishing a nuclear power plant at the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) located in Shaktinagar. In a significant development, the forum has reiterated its persistent demand for an AIIMS-level medical institution in the district, highlighting what it perceives as misplaced governmental priorities.
Criticism of Government Priorities
During a press statement released on Saturday, forum leader Basavaraj Kalasa expressed strong criticism towards the Centre's approach. "While Raichur is seeking an AIIMS, the Union government is moving to set up a nuclear power plant at RTPS. While the people of the district ask for medical facilities, the government is going to give them poison," Kalasa stated emphatically. This opposition emerged following a visit by a three-member technical team from the Atomic Energy Commission, which inspected the RTPS premises to evaluate the feasibility of constructing a nuclear power facility.
Feasibility Assessment and Infrastructure Examination
Sources indicated that the technical team meticulously examined whether components of the existing infrastructure at RTPS, which spans nearly 1,300 acres, could be repurposed for nuclear reactors. Raichur, a district prone to drought, already hosts two major thermal power plants:
- Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS)
- Yaramaras Thermal Power Station (YTPS)
Together, these facilities boast a combined generation capacity of approximately 3,320 MW, contributing nearly half of Karnataka's electricity supply. Basavaraj Kalasa alleged that officials from the Atomic Energy Commission gathered information from Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) officials during their visit. He raised serious concerns about the potential health and environmental risks posed by a nuclear facility, particularly due to the management of nuclear waste.
Long-Standing Demand for AIIMS
"The Union government has ignored our long struggle to establish AIIMS in backward Raichur but is now planning a nuclear plant that will endanger people's lives," Kalasa asserted, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the proposal. Activist S Mareppa further alleged that RTPS officials conducted phased meetings with workers, misleading them by claiming a solar power project was being planned while simultaneously cooperating with the central team.
Previous Proposals and Current Status
Earlier, experts from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) had shortlisted several sites for nuclear projects, including:
- Halakavatagi in Lingasugur taluk
- Karadigudda village in Manvi taluk
- Locations in Vijayapura and Koppal districts
However, these proposals did not receive approval from the state government. A senior KPCL official, speaking anonymously, clarified that there is currently no formal proposal before the state government to establish or permit a nuclear power plant at RTPS. The official added that similar feasibility studies are being conducted at thermal power stations across the country as part of broader energy assessments.
Growing Public Support for AIIMS
As citizens of Raichur continue to oppose the nuclear power plant initiative, their advocacy for the establishment of an AIIMS has gained considerable momentum. The forum's stance underscores a critical debate between energy infrastructure development and essential healthcare services in the region.
