New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS): Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office V. Narayanasamy Thursday said there was a need to have more interaction with local communities at the site of nuclear power plants to allay their fears about nuclear energy.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha on the protests against Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu, Narayanasamy said nuclear power was necessary to meet the energy needs of the country.

He said there was a need to have regular interaction with local communities so that they are not misguided by NGOs.

The minister also said that there was need for more corporate social responsibility steps like building schools, hospitals and roads to help the locals.

"Though coal is the main source of power, it is not clean energy. Power produced from other sources is negligible," Narayanasamy said.

He added that nuclear power was not expensive and the cost was Rs.1.80 per unit, which was lesser than other non-conventional sources of energy.