The Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu has finally been approved by the Supreme Court of India.

The apex court today (Monday) approved the commissioning of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, saying it is safe as well as necessary for larger public interest and growth of the Indian economy.

A plea had been filed in the apex court seeking a stay on the Madras High Court's last year's order that had allowed commissioning of the controversial plant. But, the apex court dismissed the plea, and stressed that development of nuclear energy was important for the economic growth of the country.

Giving its nod for the commissioning of the plant, the court said, "Kudankulam plant is safe and secure and it is necessary for larger public interest and economic growth of the country."

However, the apex court also gave a total of fifteen guidelines on commissioning, safety & security as well as environmental issues concerning the plant.

The locals and environment activists have long been staging aggressive protests against the commissioning of the nuclear plant, arguing that the plant lacks adequate safety measures. The anti-Kudankulam campaign is being spearheaded by the People's Movement against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), which is citing the example of Japan's Fukushima disaster to highlight the dangers of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant.