No possibility of setting up nuclear power plant in Punjab: SAD

SAD general secretary and MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said if the Centre really wants to set up nuclear plants, it should look for sites in Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh

Punjab’s ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of setting up a nuclear plant anywhere in the state, holding that there was is feasibility for it, a day after the Centre said it was looking at possible sites in Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana.

Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu. Construction on the plant began on March 31, 2002, but has faced delays due to the fishermen’s objection.(Photo: IAEA)

SAD general secretary and MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said if the Centre really wants to set up nuclear plants, it should look for sites in Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh. The SAD is a partner of the ruling BJP at the Centre while the BJP is its long-time ally in Punjab too.

Prem Singh Chandumajra. (HT File Photo)

Meanwhile, chairman of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) KD Chaudhary said no such proposal was there for consideration with the state.

On Tuesday, Minister of state in the prime minister’s office Jitendra Singh had said that the central government is looking at possible sites in Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana for setting up new atomic power plants. The then Congress government had rejected the proposal for setting up a nuclear power plant in Darauli in Patiala in 2000.