BJD warns of protests over proposed private nuclear power plant in Odisha

The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday, Aug 6th opposed the proposed establishment of a private nuclear power plant in Odisha, alleging that the BJP-led state government was compromising public safety in favour of corporate interests.

The party warned it would launch a statewide agitation if the government proceeded with the project, which it claimed involved a proposal by a private company to set up a 3,000 MW nuclear power plant in the state.

Addressing a press conference, BJD senior general secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar said nuclear power posed significant safety risks and questioned the move to allow private participation in the sector.

She alleged that the proposal surfaced after representatives of a private company met Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo, who also holds the energy portfolio.

Samantsinghar cited the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, the Chernobyl disaster and the Fukushima nuclear accident to argue that nuclear energy carries long-term risks to public health and the environment.

She also claimed the Centre had amended laws to facilitate private participation in the nuclear energy sector, alleging that the BJP government was attempting to privatise a strategically sensitive industry.

The BJD leader said the state government was acting at the Centre's direction without considering the interests of Odisha's residents.

She urged the government to abandon the proposal, warning that the party would launch a mass movement if a nuclear power plant was established in the state.

The state government had not responded to the allegations at the time of publication.