PANAJI
The Union government’s plan to explore the possibility of setting up a nuclear power plant in Goa has drawn strong opposition from political parties in the State. The Congress, RGP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have accused the BJP of putting Goa’s environment and people’s livelihoods at risk.
The reaction came after Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar called for a feasibility study to examine whether a nuclear power plant can be set up in Goa.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Amit Patkar said the State should not be used for risky projects. “Goa is not a ‘laboratory for BJP’s dangerous experiments’,” he said.
“I strongly condemn the Union Minister’s absurd proposal. The BJP has already destroyed Goa’s hills, forests, agriculture, and rivers ” now they want to risk lives with a nuclear hazard? We will resist this anti-Goa agenda with full force. Our land, livelihoods and environment are non-negotiable,” Patkar posted on X.
AAP Goa chief Amit Palekar also opposed the idea, saying the government was ignoring the harm already caused by the Tamnar power project. He questioned why nuclear power was being considered when safer and cleaner options like solar energy are available.
“The Kaiga nuclear plant already affects areas on the Goa border. Now they want to further endanger Goa’s eco-sensitive zones? The Tamnar project itself has displaced wildlife and destroyed sanctuaries. Why is the government not investing in solar power, which is sustainable and safe?” Palekar asked.
Meanwhile, Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) President Manoj Parab wrote in a social media post: “BJP’s masterplan for Goa: Water to Karnataka, land to Delhikars, air to a NUCLEAR PLANT. Wow! What’s next -- selling our beaches to Biharis? ‘Develop’ Goa till nothing’s left!”
The criticism came a day after Minister Khattar urged the Goa government to look at nuclear power as an alternative source of energy. He pointed out that Goa depends on other States for 80% of its electricity and has limited scope for thermal, hydro, or large-scale solar power due to its climate and geography.
Khattar said India currently has 8 GW of nuclear power capacity and plans to increase it to 100 GW by 2047. “If demand comes from the State, we will consider it,” he said.
CM Pramod Sawant responded by saying the government would take the proposal seriously and carry out a feasibility study. He also noted that Goa now generates only 99 MW of solar power.
