Safety of Indian nuclear plants is paramount

The Indian government says it will not compromise on nuclear safety in light of stubborn public protests about the safety of India's existing and new nuclear power plants.

President Pratibha Patil told Parliament that India would more than double its nuclear power generating capacity from 2012-17 as provided in its 12th Five Year Plan.

"My government attaches the highest priority to safety while harnessing nuclear energy, and will not compromise on safety or the livelihood of any section of society in the pursuit of our nuclear energy programme," she said.

Her statement come a day after Japan marked the first anniversary of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the devastating tsunami that killed close to 20,000 persons and crippled nuclear power plants in Fukushima.

The President said the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill has been introduced in Parliament.

"The installed capacity of nuclear plants in the country has risen to 4780 MW, and is expected to further increase to 10,080 MW by the end of the 12th Plan," she said.