Opposition Party in Odisha Challenges Nuclear Power Plant Plans

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha has raised significant concerns regarding a proposed nuclear power plant, accusing the ruling BJP government of prioritizing corporate interests over public safety. Following a meeting between a private company representative and Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo, BJD leaders highlighted the potential health risks associated with nuclear energy. They referenced historical nuclear disasters to emphasize their fears. The government has not yet addressed these allegations, leaving the public anxious about the implications of such a project.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 6, 2026, 10:29 IST

BJD Raises Concerns Over Nuclear Energy Initiatives

Bhubaneswar, August 6 - The opposition party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has voiced its strong opposition to the proposed establishment of a nuclear power plant in Odisha, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of compromising public safety for corporate interests. This protest emerged shortly after a representative from a private company met with Odisha's Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo, who also oversees the energy department.

During a press conference on Wednesday, BJD's senior general secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar asserted that the introduction of a nuclear power facility in Odisha poses a significant threat to the health and safety of the local population. She claimed that the 'double-engine government' is favoring private corporations, thereby neglecting the safety of the people of Odisha. According to BJD leaders, a private firm has proposed a 3,000 megawatt nuclear power plant in the state.

She stated, 'Whenever nuclear energy is mentioned, it naturally instills fear among the public. The atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 devastated those cities, and the catastrophic explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in 1986 (in Ukraine) and the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear facility in 2011 (in Japan) are still fresh in people's minds.'

Despite these serious allegations, the government has yet to respond to BJD's claims.