Necessary safety measures taken for nuclear power plant, says Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has assured the people of Bangladesh not to worry about the nuclear power plant being built at Rooppur as sufficient safety measures have been taken.

She spoke during the inauguration of the construction work of the second unit of the nuclear power plant in Pabna’s Rooppur, the first of its kind in Bangladesh.

Many have expressed their concerns over the construction of a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh because of the high population density, which could result in high casualties in the case of a disaster.

“Different opinions emerge when you begin something,” said the prime minister. “There is nothing to worry about. Nowadays nuclear plants use modern technologies. We don’t think there will be any problem and have focused on ensuring the safety of the plant.”

She said it is ‘very important’ to ensure the safety and maintenance of the power plant.

Russia and India are providing human resource training to Bangladesh in this regard, she said.

A unit of police, defence personnel and law enforcement agents has been formed to ensure the safety of the power plant, said the prime minister.

Sheikh Hasina had inaugurated the construction of the first unit of the plant on Nov 30, last year. The construction of the second furnace unit was launched on Saturday.

Russian company Atomstroyexport is likely complete the construction of the main structure of the power plant within 68 months.

The government expects the first 1200MW unit of the Rooppur plant will be available to the national power grid in mid-2023 while the second unit will be active a year later.

Construction work is proceeding apace on the 250,905 square metre area of the Rooppur project. Most of the infrastructure of the first phase has already been built.

The first ever nuclear power plant in Bangladesh costs about $12.65 billion and is being built with the assistance of Russia.

The power plant is being built with five levels of safety measures using third generation technology, says the government. Russia has agreed to handle the disposal of the nuclear waste.

“The Rooppur plant is being built with 3 plus technology and Russia has taken responsibility for waste management. Therefore, I don’t think there is anything to worry about,” Hasina said on the occasion.

“We have become the 57th country to launch a satellite into space and will join the nuclear power club as 33rd country,” the prime minister said while describing the development achievements of her government.

Bangladesh will ensure the peaceful use of its atomic energy, she said.

Science and Technology minister Yeafesh Osman, Russian deputy prime minister Yuri Borisov, International Atomic Energy Association director Dohee Hahn and ROSATOM deputy director general Alexander Ruskin spoke on the occasion.

Russian deputy prime minister met with prime minister Hasina following the occasion.