Reports by the experts’ panel, came in handy for the Tamil Nadu government to give its approval for the Kudankulam nuclear power project downstate, it is learnt. The expert groups of both the central and state governments observed the proposed 2,000-Mw endeavour met current safety standards.

Besides, officials say, rising power deficit also forced the J Jayalalithaa government to rethink its policy on Kudankulam. Tamil Nadu is reeling under power shortfall, recently prompting its government to seek the Centre’s intervention to overcome the crisis.