In the aftermath of a series of post-quake explosions at various nuclear plants in Japan, the government of India has carried out a safety check at all nuclear plants within the country. That is very much in the order of things. However, the larger question being raised is that our nascent nuclear energy policy and initiatives in that direction need to be reviewed. Some experts, who have been warning against prioritising nuclear energy to meet India’s growing power demands, have renewed their caveats.

However, the options on the other hand are not altogether safe either. As for hydro power, our mega dams remain prone to large-scale disaster in the aftermath of a major earthquake. As for thermal power, coal reserves are limited and the effects of carbon emission over a long term are no less dangerous.

Still, does the nuclear plant explosions in Japan force us to revisit our energy policy (apart from our disaster preparedness)?