Leaders Oppose Extension For Kiliyur Nuclear Mining Project

CHENNAI — Political leaders and social activists have expressed strong opposition to the TVK state government's decision to grant a one-year extension to Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) for a nuclear mining project in Kiliyur in Kanyakumari district. The decision has sparked anger among the local population, particularly the fishing community, who fear severe health risks from the proposed project.

S Austin, the DMK MLA representing Kanyakumari, warned the state government of a massive agitation by local residents if the extension of permission is not immediately withdrawn. Austin stated that when the DMK was in power in the state, it did not cow down to any pressure from the Centre regarding the project.

According to Austin, if the TVK government had refused to grant the extension, the BJP-led Union government would have been forced to drop the project entirely. He asserted that the decision has exposed a nexus between the TVK government in the state and the BJP government at the Centre.

During the newly granted one-year extension period, IREL will attempt to acquire the necessary permissions for the project, which is planned to cover 1,144 hectares of land near Kiliyur. Austin noted that this extension directly contradicts a resolution passed by the TVK against the project during its executive committee meeting in November 2024.

Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami also expressed consternation over the decision. He urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to explain how a project that his own party had termed highly hazardous in 2024 has now been permitted to continue.

Meanwhile, anti-nuclear activist S P Udhayakumar released a video decrying the extension of permission for the IREL project. Alongside Udhayakumar, several other local activists have started planning protests and agitations against the state government.