Jaitapur N power project work will begin in 2018

NOT INCLUDED Sena’s minister for industries was kept out of meeting

The Shiv Sena minister for industries, Subhash Desai, was kept out of the meeting when the French delegation led by the foreign secretary Christian Massetat met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday at his residence, Varsha. The agenda for the meeting was for the Jaitapur project.

Sena has strongly opposed the nuclear power project to be installed in Jaitapur. The reactors and knowhow for this project will be provided by French company Arewa.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis directed the officials to step up the public outreach programme and take steps to ensure that locals are given employment at the proposed Jaitapur plant in Konkan. The French delegation assured Fadnavis project work will begin in 2018.

Though Desai is the industry minister, he was not present at the meeting between the French foreign secretary and the chief minister. Desai was not available for comment. However, the Sena legislator Rajan Salvi said that his party's stand has not changed and they will continue to oppose the project.

Meanwhile, while indicating that work on the project can begin as early as next year, Fadnavis said, “People have several misconceptions about the project. To address these concerns a dialogue with local officials needs to be built. Information on security and safety aspects related to the project too need to be given.”

“Once there is a clarity on the rates of the power that will be generated from the project, the schedule for the project can be announced and local people can be involved to ensure this project gets completed early,” Fadnavis said.

He suggested that the work on skill training be undertaken immediately to ensure local people get employment from the project.

Massetat said the project is very important for France and indicated that the work on the project will start by 2018. The first reactor can get operational by 2025. All the six rectors can start generating power by 2027 and a total of 10,000 MW would be generated from the project, he said.

Special security measures have been included in the project after studying nuclear disasters world over. 60% of the supplies for the project would be procured locally and participation of local industry in developing the project would be ensured, Massetat said. He assured that power rates too would be affordable.

Fadnavis also informed the delegation about the state government’s business friendly policies.

The ambassador of France, Alexandre Ziegler, too, was present.