Mumbai: The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) on July 15 issued a clarification regarding reports of an alleged drawings/data leak linked to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) Units 3 and 4, stating that the information reportedly available in the public domain does not concern any nuclear safety or nuclear security-related systems.
In a press release, NPCIL said the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the Common Services–Balance of Plant (BoP) package for KKNPP Units 3 and 4 was awarded to M/s Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. in 2018 through a public tender process.
NPCIL explained that the contract covers engineering, procurement/supply, construction and commissioning of common service facilities, which are conventional in nature and are typically found in thermal power plants and other process industries. It stressed that these facilities are unrelated to nuclear safety or nuclear security systems.
According to the corporation, as part of the public tendering process, NPCIL had provided indicative drawings and technical specifications to bidders. Based on these inputs and project requirements, Reliance Infrastructure, as the EPC contractor, prepared detailed engineering drawings in consultation with the respective Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). NPCIL said the designs were accepted only after a technical review confirmed that they met the required specifications.
Reiterating its position, NPCIL said the information claimed to have entered the public domain pertains solely to conventional Balance of Plant (BoP) common service facilities and does not relate to any nuclear safety or nuclear security-related systems or information.
Background:
Reports emerged that ransomware group World Leaks had uploaded thousands of files allegedly linked to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) on the dark web, claiming the data originated from Reliance Infrastructure, which is executing the Engineering and Construction (E&C) contract for the common services package of KKNPP Units 3 and 4.
The reported leak was said to include engineering drawings, supplier details and project-related records.
According to Reuters, cybersecurity researcher Rakesh Krishnan identified nearly 19,000 files, totalling about 14.3 GB, that had been online since June 11. The news agency said it reviewed the documents but could not independently verify their authenticity.
The reports subsequently gained widespread attention, prompting the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to issue a clarification.
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Units-3&4 located in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. The project is being implemented with technical cooperation from Russia. In Unit-3, some of the major milestones like construction of Inner Containment (IC) dome, Concreting of Outer Containment (OC) dome, Main Coolant Pipeline welding, charging of 230 KV Gas Insulated Switchgear etc. are completed. In Unit-4, construction of Inner Containment Dome and erection of Nuclear Steam Supply system (NSSS) is completed.
