Congress MP seeks NLCs closure

CUDDALORE: The Congress will seek closure of Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) if the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is not commissioned, according to the party’s MP K S Azhagiri. Participating in a demonstration on Monday, which sought KKNPP to become operational, he said that Congress members from Cuddalore would organise a protest seeking NLC to be shut on the grounds that it too was polluting the environment.Azhagiri said, “No industry is pollution-free or 100 per cent safe. Koodankulam may cause slight adversity to environment but NLC is also polluting the environment by spreading dust particles to the extent of 50 km.” He added that because of NLC, people of south Arcot were prone to tuberculosis. He said, “Cuddalore district Congress committee will organise a protest to shut down NLC. If this happens, then there will be power cut for 24 hours.  Then, the state government will be forced to set up an expert panel for reopening of NLC too.”