core sector communique

National Disaster Management Authority to Conduct Mock Drill at Madras Atomic Power Station Tomorrow 

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has decided to conduct Mock Drill in all the 18 nuclear facilities in six different States of the country to review the off-site emergency plans. This follows the directions of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who has desired that a lot of attention should be given for the preparedness measures to deal with nuclear emergency besides ensuring safety and security of the Nuclear Power Plants.

In the wake of the recent disasters in Japan, the Prime Minister had reviewed the country’s preparedness to deal with disasters in a special meeting of NDMA on 1st June 2011. There was a special focus on Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear & Radiological emergencies. The first mock drill was conducted at Tarapur (Maharashtra) on 10th & 11th June 2011. The second mock drill is being conducted at Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) at Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu) today and tomorrow.

India has an enviable and impeccable record of safety & security and virtually fail-safe arrangement in its all Nuclear Establishments. The handling of Nuclear Emergencies requires a high degree of coordination among different service group and the stakeholders who are responsible for management of such emergencies. In the event of potential radiological consequences in the Public domain, the authorities at the level of District, State and Centre are to play a vital role in its mitigation mechanism and therefore, there is a need to review off-site emergency plan.

The Mock Drill to be held tomorrow was preceded by a day-long workshop today. It was inaugurated by Shri M. Shashidhar Reddy, Vice Chairman, NDMA. The Officers from Nuclear Crisis Management, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Madras Atomic Power Station and Government of Tamilnadu attended the workshop. The District Magistrate, the Superintendent of Police, Kancheepuram, Station Director, Madras Atomic Power Station and other stake holders gave presentations on their preparedness to counter such nuclear emergencies.

Vice Chairman, NDMA and Members will also attend tomorrow’s Mock Drill where all the stakeholders of district, State and National level will participate along with NGOs and other Community Members. A team of NDRF Bn Arakkonam will take part in response exercise along with Police, Civil Defence, Home Guard and other responders who will show their capability and readiness to counter Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies.

The gaps identified in coordination and response preparedness will be addressed by all concerned subsequently.