Regretting the protests over the Kudankulam nuclear power plant despite assurances over its safety, a top nuclear official on Monday said shortage of manpower prevented full-fledged works being taken up in the plant.

"If you recall past two, three or four months, there was talk that Kudankulam site was not a proper site, it's volcano, earthquake and tsunami prone. Then there was a question about the safety of the reactors. There was a question regarding quality.

"Kudankulam construction has been going on smoothly and in total harmony with the neighbourhood right from March 31, 2002. In the last 10 years, there was no doubt about site, absolutely no question raised about volcano. Same people are staying there," Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) CMD S K Jain said.

He was talking to reporters here on the sidelines of a conference on nuclear fuels.

"If you recall, post-Fukushima, there were lot of apprehensions. Fukushima took place in March...PM was also concerned...he said safety of people is the top priority...We were totally successful in all the sides to give assurance that we will not compromise with safety.

"We are not a private sector. We have absolutely no reason to adopt short cuts when we know for sure, even after retirement, our liability is not reduced. Even if there is an iota of doubt about safety, we cannot compromise," he said.