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NEW DELHI: North India’s first Nuclear Plant is coming up in Haryana in a small town called Gorakhpur.
This was revealed by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh while reaffirming the government’s commitment to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project, calling it a critical step toward India’s clean energy future.
Responding to concerns raised in the Lok Sabha, Dr. Jitendra Singh clarified that environmental clearance for the project is under renewal and that necessary safeguards are in place to address ecological and safety concerns.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the government remains confident in the safety of the project despite objections from conservation groups and concerns about its location in a seismic zone. He stated that concerns about risks to marine life and local livelihoods have been raised repeatedly, and every time, the government has “tried to allay all these apprehensions that there is no such risk to the marine life, the fisheries, or the people living around, there are ample number of evidence-based studies to prove that.”
He further clarified that the environmental clearance had expired in December 2022 due to procedural delays, not because of any new environmental objections. “If there were very serious environmental hazards or any apprehension or evidence, then we would not have got the environment clearance even earlier,” he explained.
Tracing the project’s timeline, the Minister explained that while initial approvals were given in 2008, delays occurred due to shifts in agreements with French stakeholders. With technical agreements now finalized, discussions are ongoing to settle commercial terms with the French side. The Jaitapur plant, once operational, will house six nuclear reactors, each with a capacity of 1,730 MW, totalling 10,380 MW-accounting for 10% of India’s 100 GW nuclear energy target by 2047.
Addressing concerns about nuclear liability, Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) framework provides clear safeguards. The primary responsibility rests with the operator, and an insurance pool of ₹1,500 crore has been set up, with additional commitments from the government if required. Furthermore, India has aligned with global compensation mechanisms to ensure financial security in case of an incident.
In a significant policy shift, the government is also opening the nuclear energy sector to private participation to accelerate expansion. Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the upcoming Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant in Haryana, marking India’s first nuclear project in North India, as part of this broader vision.
With India aiming for net-zero emissions by 2070, the Jaitapur project is expected to play a crucial role in achieving the country’s clean energy ambitions while strengthening its position as a leader in nuclear technology.
