Kalpakkam

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Kalpakkam | type = town | latd = 12.5 | longd = 80.21
state_name = Tamil Nadu
district = Kancheepuram
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude =
population_as_of = 2002
population_total = ~20000+| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = +91-44
postal_code = 603102
vehicle_code_range = TN-21
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website = www.kalpakkam.com
footnotes =

Kalpakkam is a small town in Tamil Nadu, India, situated on the Coromandel Coast 45 km south of Chennai. Kalpakkam is mostly famous for its nuclear plants and affiliated research installations. These include the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), one of India's nuclear power plants, and IGCAR, the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, an affiliate of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

Due to increasing congestion in Kalpakkam arising from the need to accommodate more employees, a new township of Anupuram/Amaipakkam, situated at a distance of 8 km from Kalpakkam, was inaugurated in 1998.

The tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake generated widespread damage and resulted in a number of deaths (100) at Kalpakkam. There is a tsunami memorial built in the township in memory of those who lost their lives.

Facilities

Kalpakkam is a well built and planned township. The schools present in the township are Atomic Energy Central School (AECS 1 & 2), Kendriya Vidyalaya-1, Kendriya Vidyalaya-2 and Govt Hr. Secondary School. The township is split into two sides: Sadras and Pudupattinam side. Often there is a healthy rivalry in sports and in other activities between the two sides, especially since Kendriya Vidyalaya-1 is on the Pudupattinam side and Kendriya Vidyalaya-2 on the Sadras side. Both sides have identical facilities, but with Pudupattinam having more complete and bigger facilities, such as the hospital and the General Services Organization (GSO). The two sides are separated by a bridge over the canal (backwaters) which joins the sea close by.

Nuclear facilities

IGCAR, while being a multifaceted research installation, is famous for the fast breeder test reactor FBTR, India's first breeder reactor. It has another reactor named KAMINI, which is the only reactor in the world to use uranium-233 type fuel, which is converted from thorium-234. Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) is a wholly owned Enterprise of the Government of India under the administrative control of the Department of atomic Energy (DAE). 500MWe Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) is the forerunner of the future fast breeder power reactors and is expected to provide energy security to the country. The FBR is being built with the design and technology developed at the Indira Gandhi Center for atomic research (IGCAR) ,also located at Kalpakkam and is expected to go on stream by 2010. Kalpakkam was in the news and a cause of concern when it was initially reported that Madras Atomic Power Station has been damaged by the 2004 tsunami. However, it was successfully shut down without incident. Power production has since resumed at MAPS.

Recreation

Until a few years ago, the beach at Kalpakkam used to be lined with casuarina trees and only a few weeds. But in recent times, weed growth is starting to dominate, which the local population is fighting to keep in check. Though there have been a few accidents, locals often enjoy going to the beach and swimming in the relatively calm waters, which are free of sharks.

Kalpakkam is also very close to Mamallapuram – one of the famous tourist destinations near Chennai. It is a very relaxing spot with quiet beaches and a very serene atmosphere. The environment within the township has been well maintained for over 30 years. There are numerous trees and various parks within the township in which to relax. There are various avenues for recreation, including tennis courts, music, dance, swimming academies and various other sport activities. Students have participated in School Games Federation of India from the swimming coaching of these academies. The Nuclear Sports and Cultural Organisation (NESCO) holds many events and also movie screenings frequently.

Bus routes

The township is well connected by road and TNSTC operates buses from Chennai, Puduchery, Bangalore,Coimbatore,Trichy, Tirupathi, Vellore, Chittoor and Kanchipuram. The East Coast Road connecting Chennai and Puduchery passes through Pudupattinam.

References

External links

* http://www.kalpakkam.com/
* http://www.igcar.gov.in
* [http://www.kalpakkam.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=59&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 Will the Kalpakkam Nuclear Establishment & the Indian Atomic Energy Commission Learn its Lessons from the December 26 Tsunami? - An Indepth Critique]
* [http://www.kvkalpakkamone.org/ Kendriya Vidyalaya-1]
* [http://www.kvkalpakkamtwo.org/ Kendriya Vidyalaya-2]