Archive · 6 Aug 2026
BJD opposes government move for private nuclear plant in Odisha
In the Indian state of Odisha, a political party called the BJD is worried about a plan to build a nuclear power plant.
The power plant would be built by a private company, which means it would not belong to the government.
The BJD says nuclear energy can be dangerous to people's health and safety.
They remember big nuclear accidents that happened in places like Japan and Ukraine many years ago.
The BJD believes that nuclear energy should stay under the control of the government.
They say the government changed the rules so private companies could get involved.
A private company wants to build a very large power plant that could produce 3,000 megawatts of electricity.
The BJD also thinks the state government is following orders from the central government instead of listening to the people of Odisha.
The BJD says it will hold big protests if the plant is built.
So far, the government has not answered these worries.
The BJD opposed an alleged move to establish a private nuclear power plant in Odisha, accusing the BJP-led state government of compromising public safety for corporate interests.
BJD leader Lekhashree Samantsinghar said a private company has proposed a 3,000 MW nuclear power plant in the state.
Samantsinghar cited the 1945 Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, the 1986 Chernobyl explosion, and the 2011 Fukushima disaster as examples of nuclear hazards.
The BJD said the Central Government passed a law in December 2025 enabling private participation in nuclear energy, and that India currently has 8.8 GW of government-owned nuclear capacity.
The BJD threatened to launch a mass agitation if the plant is established; the government had not responded to the allegations.
- Who
- Biju Janata Dal (BJD), represented by senior general secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar, opposing the BJP-led Odisha government; a private company that proposed the plant and whose representative met deputy CM KV Singh Deo.
- What
- An alleged move to establish a 3,000 MW private nuclear power plant in Odisha.
- When
- Wednesday, August 5, as reported by PTI; the enabling law was passed in Parliament in December 2025.
- Where
- Odisha, India; the BJD press conference took place in Bhubaneswar.
- Why
- The BJD claims the plant threatens public health and safety and says the government is prioritizing corporate interests over the welfare of Odisha's people.
Biju Janata Dal (Opposition)
BJP-led Government and Private Companies
Ownership of nuclear energy
Biju Janata Dal (Opposition)
Nuclear energy involves national security and should remain under government ownership; no private entity should be entrusted with it.
BJP-led Government and Private Companies
The government passed the Nuclear Energy Bill in December 2025, amending regulations to allow private companies to participate in the nuclear sector.
Safety of the proposed plant
Biju Janata Dal (Opposition)
A 3,000 MW plant would pose a serious threat to the health and safety of Odisha's people; past disasters in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Chernobyl, and Fukushima show the risks of nuclear energy.
BJP-led Government and Private Companies
A private company formally proposed the plant and its representative met deputy CM KV Singh Deo; the government had not publicly responded to the allegations.
Public interest vs corporate interests
Biju Janata Dal (Opposition)
The 'double-engine government' is compromising public safety for corporate interests and acting on directions from Delhi rather than safeguarding Odisha's people.
BJP-led Government and Private Companies
The government did not issue a response to the BJD's allegations before the report was filed.
- Opposing party
- Biju Janata Dal (BJD)
- Alleged proposal
- 3,000 MW private nuclear power plant in Odisha
- State government
- BJP-led Odisha government
- BJD spokesperson
- Lekhashree Samantsinghar, senior general secretary
- Energy minister
- Deputy CM KV Singh Deo (in charge of energy department)
- Enabling legislation
- Nuclear Energy Bill passed in December 2025
- India's nuclear capacity
- 8.8 GW under government ownership
- BJD's warning
- Mass agitation if the plant is established