In a huge relief for the Centre, the Supreme Court on Monday gave green signal to the commissioning of the controversial Kudankulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu. The court observed that the plant is safe and secure and it is necessary for the economic growth of the country.

A bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra said that the Kudankulam N-plant set up by the government is meant for the welfare of people. It has given 15 guidelines on commissioning, safety and security and environmental issues concerning the plant.

However, the commissioning of the project will not take place before a final report is filed on the safety aspect, the court said.

The court asked the authorities to endeavour to withdraw criminal cases against those protesting the plant’s commissioning. The judgement came against a batch of petitions filed by anti-nuclear activists, who had challenged the project on the ground of safety and security.