**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4570, the Department of Atomic Energy addressed the reassessment of safety at India's atomic power plants. Following the 2011 earthquake in Japan and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) independently reassessed Indian Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) to ensure their ability to withstand severe natural events like earthquakes and floods. These assessments and safety measures are also applicable to the recent earthquake of 8.6 magnitude on the Richter Scale that affected Russia and Japan. The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prime Minister's Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh, stated that the mentioned earthquake had no impact on Indian nuclear power plants.
Nuclear power plants in coastal regions are designed to account for earthquakes, tsunamis, storm surges, and floods. Regular monitoring, reviews, and upgrades are conducted to enhance safety. Safety systems are designed to withstand extreme events, and standard operating procedures are in place with personnel training for extreme scenarios.
The Kudankulam site has six nuclear power reactors, each with a 1000 MW capacity. Currently, two reactors (KKNPP 1&2, 2X1000 MW) are operational, while four reactors (KKNPP 3 to 6, 4 x 1000 MW) are in various stages of construction and commissioning.
Key Entities Referenced
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): The regulatory body in India responsible for nuclear safety.
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident: A nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, triggered by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Kudankulam atomic power park: A nuclear power plant site in Tamil Nadu, India, housing multiple reactors.
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP): A nuclear power plant located in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, India.
Richter Scale: A numerical scale for expressing the magnitude of an earthquake.
Russia: A country mentioned in the context of an earthquake event.
Japan: A country mentioned in the context of an earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident.
Great East Japan Earthquake: The earthquake that triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4570
ANSWERED ON 20/08/2025
RE-ASSESSMENT OF SAFETY OF ATOMIC PLANTS
4570. Km. SUDHA R
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has re-assessed the safety of country’s atomic power plants in the
backdrop of an earthquake of 8.6 on Richter Scale that hit Russia and Japan and if so, the
details thereof;
(b) the details of measures taken so far to safeguard country’s nuclear reactors against
earthquakes and tsunami; and
(c) the number of nuclear plants which are built and functioning at Kudankulam atomic power
park and the number of nuclear plants which are yet to be completed or under construction
along with the status thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS
AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) Re-assessment of safety is undertaken following any major incident relevant to nuclear
safety anywhere in the world to examine the need for any further strengthening of the
safety features. Subsequent to the earthquake of magnitude 9.0 on Richter Scale in Japan
(great east Japan earthquake) followed by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident in the
year 2011, such re-assessments were carried out independently by AERB for Indian NPPs
for establishing capabilities and margins for coping with severe natural events, such as
earthquakes, floods and their possible effects. The above safety assessments and the safety
measures undertaken, are also applicable to the recent earthquake of 8.6 on Richter Scale
that hit Russia and Japan. There was no impact of the mentioned earthquake on the Indian
nuclear power plants. However, periodic safety assessments in line with regulatory
guidelines are carried out.
(b) Nuclear power plants in coastal areas are designed taking into account the technical
parameters related to earthquakes, tsunamis, storm surges, floods etc. at each site. Regular
monitoring, periodic multi-tier reviews and upgrades (if required) are also undertaken toenhance their safety. The structures, systems and components of safety systems are
designed to withstand and function efficiently in extreme events and are qualified for the
same. Further, standard operating procedures are in place for such events and the personnel
are periodically trained on actions to be taken during such extreme scenarios.
(c) The Kudankulam site comprises of six nuclear power reactors of 1000 MW capacity each,
totaling to 6000 MW. Of this, two reactors (KKNPP-1&2, 2X1000 MW) are presently in
operation while four reactors (KKNPP-3 to 6, 4 x 1000 MW) are under various stages of
construction/ commissioning.
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