Possibility of a Fukushima in Goa

GETTING NUKED

Thanks to the earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear emergency in Japan, we now know what it means to 'Get Nuked'. With nuclear power plants at Kaiga south of Goa and the proposed site for the largest nuclear power plant (in the world) at Jaitapur north of Goa, we are sandwiched nice and proper. So, if there is an earthquake followed (or not) by a tsunami and nuclear emergency in these areas, what will be the effect on Goa? Actually, a tsunami is enough to reduce Goa to a mini state from a small state that it is today. However, there is very little, if any, of protests or even analysis of the situation that may arise despite the presence of a number of organizations purporting to be environment friendly/conscious. We seem to be immersed in our existing sorrows – scams, traffic, rapes, murders, robberies, mining, overloading, highway widening, getting veggies from Belgaum & milk from Kolhapur, getting water without iron ore or coal dust, waiting for power to be restored (very often) and, of course, politicking, football & cricket! Do we have a contingency plan for facing the consequences of an earthquake or tsunami or nuclear emergency? It is very easy to say that the Japanese are well organized and efficient – we have seen now how untrue that is! So, despite Goa being very high on the 'percentage of literates' list, are we to still accept the politico's word that it is difficult for the general public to understand contingency plans? We are not to be blamed; the human race is designed to be that way. Remember, 'Three Mile Island' and 'Chernobyl' did not stop us from building more and more reactors. Alternative energy sources like tidal power, wind power, solar power and mini/micro hydel power have been put on the back-burner with some excuse or other, mostly for reasons of cost – well, are we to accept that Rs. 10,000 Crores (or thereabouts) per Megawatt for the proposed nuclear power plant at Jaitapur is acceptable or cost-effective! Oh, well, the ICC Cricket World Cup match is coming up so let me enjoy the next seven hours – we will worry about the future in the future and the children? They can worry about their future in their future too! Green world or Desertified world – who cares! Enjoy today and party tonight!

KALI