In Tamilnadu, the first unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, with a capacity to produce 1,000 MW, is expected to start commercial operations in August.

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited,NPCIL said that the first unit has attained 99.3 per cent of physical progress as on April and commercial operation is likely by August.

A statement from NPCIL says that it has fixed a target of March next year for the commercial operation of the second unit, where 94.7 per cent of the physical work has been completed.

The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant moved one step closer to its commissioning with Atomic Energy Regulatory Board last week giving clearances required ahead of filling of the real fuel in the reactor.

Commissioning work at the Indo-Russian project in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district, which remained stalled following protests by anti-nuclear activists citing safety concerns, resumed in full swing after the Tamil Nadu Government gave its green signal in March last.