BJD Questions Private Role in Nuclear Energy, Targets BJP Government in Odisha

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday strongly opposed the alleged move to establish a 3,000 MW private nuclear power plant in Odisha, accusing the BJP-led state government of prioritising corporate interests over public safety and transparency.

The opposition's criticism follows reports that a representative of a private company recently met Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, who also heads the state's energy department, to discuss the proposed project.

Addressing a press conference, BJD senior general secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar claimed that setting up a nuclear power plant would pose serious health, environmental and safety risks for people living in and around the proposed site.

She alleged that the "double-engine government" was ignoring public concerns while encouraging private participation in a strategically sensitive sector.

Highlighting past global nuclear disasters, Samantsinghar referred to the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, as well as the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents, arguing that their long-term consequences continue to underline the dangers associated with nuclear technology.

According to the BJD leader, nuclear energy has traditionally remained under government ownership in most countries because of its strategic and security implications. She alleged that the BJP government had amended existing regulations to facilitate private participation and claimed the Centre had passed legislation in December 2025 enabling greater private involvement in the nuclear sector.

Samantsinghar questioned the government's intention to expand nuclear capacity through private entities, arguing that sectors linked to national security should remain under direct government control. She further alleged that the Odisha government was acting at the Centre's direction rather than taking decisions independently in the state's interest.

The BJD urged the state government to abandon any proposal for a private nuclear power plant, warning that it would launch a statewide mass agitation if authorities proceeded with the project.

The Odisha government had not issued any response to the allegations or the opposition's demands till the filing of the report.