Modi to push for early deal on Jaitapur Nuclear plant

Notwithstanding opposition from the Shiv Sena, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join French President Francois Hollande later this month to push for early deal on the proposed nuclear power plant at Jaitapur in Maharashtra.

Modi and Hollande, who will be on a visit to New Delhi to attend the Republic Day ceremony as chief guest, are likely to prod Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited and French multinational AREVA to expeditiously negotiations for the six 1650 MWe power plants. Modi’s forthcoming visit to Washington at the end of March may also see the US nuclear giant Westinghouse Electric Company making a significant announcement on the progress of its negotiation with the NPCIL for the techno-commercial agreement for the proposed atomic power plant at Mithi Virdi in Gujarat.

AREVA and NPCIL had signed pre-engineering agreement for the power plant at Jaitapur during Modi’s visit to Paris in April last. They are now engaged in negotiations for the techno-commercial agreement.