Lok Sabha Question No. 4571 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Indian Neutrino Observatory
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE, BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 4571

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## INDIAN NEUTRINO OBSERVATORY

4571.  ADV. JOICE GEORGE: SHRI BAIJAYANT JAY PANDA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is building India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) in the country  and  if  so,  the  details  and  the  present  status  thereof  along  with  the  steps taken by the Government for the timely completion of the said observatory;
- (b) whether  the Government  has  engaged  any  stakeholders  for  the  purpose  of deliberations and discussions on the said projects and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to shift the location of the said observatory and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the  Government has received any representation from any States and its residents against the construction of the said observatory; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH) :

- (a) Yes, Sir. The Government intends to set up the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO)  in  West  Bodi  Hills,  Theni  District  of  Tamil  Nadu.  The  project  is  awaiting  a clearance  from  the  Tamil  Nadu  Pollution  Control  Board.  The  project  is  held  up because  of the long overdue  Tamil Nadu  Pollution  Control  Board  (TNPCB) clearance. Presently the TNPCB has formed a committee of experts to advise it for further course of action.
- (b) A public meeting was organized by the Theni Collector on 8 th July,  2010. This was attended by about 1200  persons  mostly  from the nearby villages, including panchayat members, local MLAs, District officials, DSP as well as members of the press. There was vocal questioning  by the villagers. INO scientists patiently explained all the features of the project.  At the end of the meeting, the Collector, with the consent of the members present, gave the go ahead for the INO project.

While DAE has carried out many science outreach programmes at nearby schools and colleges  and  public  outreach  programmes  in  nearby  villages,  members  of  the INO team stationed at Madurai and Theni regularly visit Pottipuram and interact with the local populace.

- (c) No, Sir. At present, there is no proposal to shift the location of INO.
- (d) No, Sir. There is no representation from any neighbouring state. However, there are two  PILs,  one  in  the  Madurai  bench  of  the  Madras  High  court  by  Mr.  Vaiko  and another  in  the  National  Green  Tribunal  (NGT),  Southern  zone,  Chennai  by  Mr.  G. Sunderrajan.
- (e) The  High  Court  has  passed  an  interim  order  restraining  commencement  of  the research  work  of  the  project,  without  getting  necessary  clearance  from  the  Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. The TNPCB clearance was applied for on 22-5-2015 and is still awaited. A few days back TNPCB has formed an expert committee to look into the matter. As for the NGT case, TNPCB did not respond for a long time leading to  postponements.  The  NGT  case  has  had  a  ruling  by  the  Hon'ble  judge  that  the Environmental Clearance issued by MoEF is in abeyance and a fresh application has to be made by INO.
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