The Hindu Business Line : Crisis Management Group to keep watch on USS Nimitz

The Crisis Management Group (CMG) of the Department of Atomic Energy will keep a close watch on USS Nimitz, the Rs 19,000-crore supercarrier of the US Navy that will anchor off the Chennai coast from July 1-4.

Since the warship has two nuclear reactors on board, a Nuclear Disaster Contingent Plan has also been drawn up involving various agencies, including the CMG, the Indian Navy, the Chennai Port Trust and the Tamil Nadu Government. The plan has laid down various procedures to be followed in case of an emergency, a source said.

FLOATING AIRPORT

The CMG comprises senior officials from various units of DAE such as Nuclear Power Corporation of India, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Heavy Water Board. It also includes a senior official from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, according to the source.

Normally, in the event of any radiological or nuclear emergency in the public domain, the CMG, which has been functioning since 1987 in DAE, is activated. It co-ordinates between the local authority in the affected area and the National Crisis Management Committee, information available in the Web says.

USS Nimitz is a floating airport. On its 4.5-acre flight deck 85 warplanes can sit, while four can take off every minute. It will be anchored around 10 nautical miles off the Chennai coastal waters. The Indian Navy, the Chennai Port Trust and the Central Industrial Security Force will be involved in providing security to the ship on the outer anchorage. Already a couple of ships of the Indian Navy have arrived at the Chennai port.

Instructions will be given to all ships anchored in Chennai during the four-days to vacate at a short notice in case of an emergency. The east quay at the Chennai port will be used as transit for the crewmembers of Nimitz. The quay will be cordoned off completely during the warship’s stay.

TEMPORARY RESTAURANTS

KFC, Baskin-Robbins and Pizza Hut will put up their stalls inside the Chennai harbour to serve the Nimitz crewmembers. A handicraft showroom and a duty free shop will also be there at the east quay during the four days.

Powerboats will be used to shuttle crewmembers between the ship and the harbour. Around 35 buses will be used to ply the crewmembers from the harbour to places like Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. The crewmembers will also participate in charity works in and around the city, the source said.