Lok Sabha Question No. 259 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Nuclear Power Plant in Haryana
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Deepender Singh Hooda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 259

ANSWERED ON 06/08/2025

## NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN HARYANA

## *259.  SHRI DEEPENDER SINGH HOODA

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether it is a fact that the first unit of the Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant in Haryana, which was approved in 2014, is still only 74 percent complete and is expected to begin operations only by 2028;
- (b)  whether the Government has assessed the reasons for this delay along with its impact on energy capacity and cost escalation and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the steps taken by the Government to ensure timely completion of nuclear infrastructure; and
- (d)  whether there is any accountability for missed deadlines in critical energy projects and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  259  FOR  REPLY  ON  06.08.2025  REGARDING NUCLEAR  POWER  PLANT  IN  HARYANA  ASKED  BY  SHRI  DEEPENDER  SINGH HOODA

- (a)  The Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Project comprises of two twin units of 700 MW each viz. GHAVP1&2 (2X700 MW) and GHAVP-3&4 (2X700 MW). The Government accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for the GHAVP-1&2 in February 2014. Presently, GHAVP-1&2 is under construction and is expected to be completed by 2031-32.
- (b)   Yes. Excavation activities commenced in the year 2018.  The site is a soil site with no hard rock. Therefore, technique of excavation & Ground improvement (GI) using compacted soil cement mix  was  carried  out.  This  was  followed  by  construction  of  foundation  piles  and  their qualification.

However, confirmatory geo technical investigations indicated some localized weak zones in soil strata. In view of this, a consultant of repute was roped in for resolution of the issue, who carried out  comprehensive  investigations  and  submitted  recommendations  for  remediation,  which  is presently under review by the regulatory authority. The above stated process took significant time, leading to delay in start of construction of the Nuclear Island.

However, award of work for equipment, major EPC packages and construction of other main plant building progressed.

- (c)  In order to streamline the project activities, advance procurement of long manufacturing cycle equipment have been initiated. Accordingly major equipment have been ordered, some of which have also been received at site. All major equipment and works packages like Main Plant Civil Works, Nuclear Piping, Turbine Island, IDCT etc. have been awarded and works are in progress. Constant monitoring of progress of project activities at multiple levels, timely identification of constraints  &  making  necessary  mid-course  corrections,  frequent  meetings  with  vendors  / contractors and re-sequencing of construction activities to the extent possible, have also been taken.
- (d)  While work is in progress in the peripheral buildings/structures, the construction activities in the main nuclear island would be taken up in full swing once site specific ground improvement activities are concluded and regulatory clearance is obtained. The delay has been primarily due to surprises in the soil conditions encountered during construction.

******