NEW DELHI - India's Supreme Court Monday gave its nod to the commissioning of the controversial Kudankulam nuclear power plant in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, saying " it's safe."

"Kudankulam plant is safe and secure and it is necessary for the larger public interest and economic growth of the country. Nuclear power plants are needed in the country for the present and future generations," a two-judge bench said, adding that the plant was meant for the welfare of the people.

The supreme court, however, asked the Indian government to ensure putting in place 17 safety measures before operationalizing the nuclear plant.

The court's order came in the wake of several petitions by anti- nuclear activists challenging the project on the ground that safety measures recommended for the plant by an expert body were not put in place. The claims were dismissed by the government.

The Kudankulam nuclear power project is being set up some 650 km south of state capital Chennai, with two Russian-made 1,000 MW nuclear reactors. The Kudankulam nuclear power plant's construction started in March 2002 but completion was not achieved 11 years later.

Long construction times for nuclear reactors are common in India, but this delay was due to anti-nuclear protests by the locals and People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy, a non-governmental organization.