Lok Sabha Question No. 1894 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Safety of NPPs
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: INNOCENT, PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

1894.   SHRI INNOCENT: SHRI P.K. BIJU:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made any assessment about the safety of the nuclear power plants in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the safety parameters in India are at par with the standards set by the IAEA;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure safety of the nuclear power plants?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Sir.  The safety reviews of the Indian Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) are carried out  by  the  regulatory  authority,  the  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB).    All nuclear  power  projects  undergo  an  elaborate  in-depth  safety  review  during  their various consenting stages, viz. siting, construction, commissioning, etc. After satisfactory review during project stage, AERB issues operating license to an NPP for a period of up to five years. During the license period, safety performance of an operational NPP is continuously monitored in compliance with regulatory guidelines. In addition, a minimum two regulatory inspections of each NPP are also carried out in a  year  to  assess  its  actual  safety  status  and  to  verify  compliance  with  various requirements specified by AERB in its safety documents.

Renewal of license of an NPP is done based on detailed safety reviews of the plant. These  safety  reviews  are  of  two  types:  a  limited  scope  safety  review  called Application for Renewal of Authorization (ARA) and a very comprehensive full scope review  called  Periodic  Safety  Review  (PSR).  The  ARA  and  PSR  are  carried  out alternatively in every 5 years.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1894

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## SAFETY OF NPPS

The  detailed  assessment  of  the  safety  of  NPPs  based  on  PSR  is  carried  out  in accordance  with  the  guidelines  given  in  AERB  safety  guide  AERB/SG/O-12  on 'Renewal of Authorisation for Operation of Nuclear Power Plants'. Safety assessments  performed  during  PSR  takes  into  account  improvements  in  safety standards and operating practices, cumulative effects of plant ageing, modifications, feedback of operating experience, probabilistic safety assessments and development in science and technology.

Use of operating experience feedback for enhancing safety of NPPs has all along being accorded high importance in India. Lessons learned from Three Miles Island, Chernobyl,  Fukushima  accidents  and  from  several  other  operational  incidents  in NPPs in  India  and  abroad,  as  also  from  new  knowledge  gained  through  research have been appropriately used for design and procedural improvements to enhance safety  of  the  NPPs.    After  the  accident  at  Fukushima  NPPs,  safety  reviews  of  all Indian NPPs were carried out by NPCIL as well as by AERB independently. These reviews  while  reconfirming  inherent  strengths  in  design,  operating  practices  and safety  regulation  of  Indian  NPPs,  have  identified  some  additional  strengthening measures  for  safely  handling  extreme  events  exceeding  the  design  basis  of  the NPPs, which are implemented.

- (b)&(c)  Yes,  Sir.  The  safety  requirements  for  nuclear  power  plants  are  established  and enforced  in  India  through  the  Safety  Codes,  Safety  Guides,  Safety  Manuals  and Technical documents developed by the AERB.  These documents are prepared in line  with  the  relevant  IAEA  Safety  Standards  and  takes  into  account  the  national requirements and experience.
- (d) As per the details given at (a) above.

*****