AsianScientist (Sep. 20, 2011) – It is a nuclear clash between New Delhi and Tamil Nadu, plunging India’s nuclear power program into a deeper crisis. The clash was initially triggered by a strong opposition to the proposed French-aided nuclear power plant at Jaitapur in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district. On Monday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J. Jayalalitha, wrote to PM Manmohan Singh, asking the PM to shelve the Kudankulam atomic power project near Kanyakumari until all the fears and apprehensions of the local population regarding nuclear power were addressed. The first unit of the 1000 MW Kudankulam reactor is expected to become operational later this year.