Bhubaneswar: The government of Odisha is in the process of evaluating proposals submitted by two companies, including the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), to establish nuclear power plants within the state. However, no definitive decision has been reached regarding the advancement of these projects, as stated by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) for energy, Vishal Kumar Dev, on Tuesday.
During a media briefing that coincided with Odisha Lok Bhavan, previously known as Raj Bhawan, receiving certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), Mr. Dev mentioned, “We have received proposals from two companies regarding setting up nuclear power plants in the State. These are under examination and studies are still underway. A government decision on whether to go ahead will be taken in due course.”
He emphasized that safety would remain the top priority for the government in any nuclear energy initiatives. “The government is very clear that the safety of the environment and the people comes first. Any initiative or further move on nuclear energy will be based on the principle that there must be no compromise on the safety of the people and the environment,” he asserted.
When questioned about the possibility of encouraging university campuses across Odisha to obtain IGBC certification, Mr. Dev mentioned that students from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri were invited to the Lok Bhavan event to inspire efforts towards promoting green campuses. “The intention behind inviting the students to Lok Bhavan is to motivate them to go for green campuses and seek certification from IGBC,” he explained.
He also noted that the government is actively promoting rooftop solar systems and grid-connected solar power as part of its clean energy initiatives.
Regarding plans to formulate a policy that supports the development of new green buildings and the transformation of existing structures into eco-friendly ones, Mr. Dev indicated that the initial focus would be on government buildings. “Each department can think about how we can make our departmental buildings green as far as possible. I think everybody can try for this,” he suggested.
His comments followed the presentation of the IGBC Platinum Green Campus certification to Lok Bhavan, marking a significant advancement towards enhancing energy efficiency, renewable energy utilization, water conservation, and sustainable waste management in government infrastructure.
