Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Tapi district of Gujarat has come under the scanner of regulator Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for a ‘minor incident' of radiation exposure to four workers in May this year.

“Four contract workers sustained minor exposure to radiation on May 30, while they were doing some house-keeping job. Due to some reason the spent fuel got released, which was not supposed to be discharged till the time house-keeping job was on,” KAPS Additional General Manager, Mr HR Sujaya Kajur said.

“The trolley in which they were working was near the path from where spent fuel is discharged, due to which four persons got some exposure to radiation, which was well within the permissible limits,” he said.

Radiation exposure

“Our medical staff had checked them and there was no problem with them as such. We had instructed our hospital that if they want to undergo any investigation it has to be done, but none of them turned up,” Mr Kajur said.

The KAPS is a nuclear power station, has two 220 MW pressurised heavy water reactors.

“The incident was brought to the notice of AERB and the international agency concerned. Corrective steps have been taken,” he said, and added that the workers, who were on contract, are now demanding regularisation. They met the district authorities and also reported about the incident in July end,” Mr Kajur said

However, District Collector, Tapi, Mr R H Patel, on receiving a complaint of radiation exposure to workers in the KAPS has sent a team under sub-divisional magistrate to enquire about the incident.

“A delegation of workers from KAPS told me that five-seven days ago some incident had taken place at the atomic power station. Taking note of it, I have sent a team to enquire,” he said.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW