Fresh uranium shipment reaches Rooppur through alternative route

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A fresh consignment of uranium imported from Russia for the second unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) has arrived at the project site through an alternative transport route.

The nuclear fuel was carried in three specially designed trucks along the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, Padma Bridge, Faridpur, Rajbari and Kushtia.

The convoy entered the project site at around 7:30 AM under Bangladesh Army supervision, with tight security provided by other law enforcement agencies.

Rooppur project Site In-charge KBM Ruhul Quddus confirmed the arrival, saying this was the first time uranium had been transported through the alternative route. The decision was taken to avoid ongoing garment workers’ protests in Gazipur and the risk of clashes.

Instead of the usual Dhaka-Tangail Highway and Jamuna Bridge route, the convoy travelled from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport through the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, Padma Bridge, Bhanga in Faridpur, Rajbari, Kushtia and Lalon Shah Bridge at Pakshi before reaching Rooppur.

With this delivery, five uranium consignments have arrived at the project site so far: two for the first unit and three for the second unit.

Earlier, Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom announced plans to transport 163 uranium fuel assemblies for the second unit through seven cargo flights, along with another 48 assemblies for refuelling the first unit through two flights. In total, nine consignments are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh.

The Russian-built RNPP has two VVER-1200 reactor units. The first unit has already entered the ‘Power Startup Stage-C’ programme after receiving approval from Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) Chairman on October 29.

During Stage-C, the reactor’s capacity will be gradually increased to assess the performance of different plant components. Authorities aim to supply around 300 megawatts of electricity from the first unit to the national grid on a trial basis in December.

However, the trial connection will depend on meeting the regulatory authority’s conditions and securing the required approvals.