Newsclick discusses with D Raghunandan the repurcussions of the proposed Nuclear Power Plant at Gorakhpur in Haryana. There are many problems with this proposed plant, specially relating to siting and sources of water. The only possible source of water for the NPP is the Bhakra canal. Apart from this, the site has a high density of population around. Raghunandan feels there is a political commitment to go ahead with nuclear technology, regardless of costs. He says all sources of energy should be evaluated dispassionately, clearly taking into account the costs, risks, potential benefits, and then the more suitable one should be opted. He thinks such an analysis would put nuclear energy at the bottom of this.

M V Ramana, a physicist by training, currently working with the Nuclear Futures Laboratory and the Program on Science and Global Security, Princeton University discusses with Newsclick the current nuclear scenario in India. He speaks on how, in terms of cost and in terms of safety, dependence on nuclear energy is not feasible. He cautions that imported light water reactors are problematic and India should not rely on them.

A Gopalakrishnan, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) reveals that US Nuclear Experts & General Electric officials had advised the shutting down of the Tarapur 1 and 2 units, 17 years back in 1996, as they are unsafe. The Tarapur reactors are older than the Fukushima reactors. They are faced with many problems. Referring to Tarapur, Gopalakrishnan cautions that we are sitting on the brink of a disaster. In a discussion with Newsclick on the current Nuclear energy programme in India, Gopalakrishnan talks about the escalating costs and the feasibility of nuclear power.