Pabna Correspondent: A convoy carrying uranium has arrived at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant under a tight security cordon. RNPP officials informed New Age that the convoy reached the site at about 12:20pm on Saturday. Earlier, the convoy transporting uranium fuel for the first unit had set out from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Rooppur at about 7:15pm on Friday, adhering to international safety guidelines. The fuel was transported on three lorries under strict army security.
Alongside the army, members of the Special Security Force, police, and various intelligence agencies were responsible for security of the convoy.
Officials stated that the aircraft carrying the fuel for the first unit landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at about 10:44pm on Friday.
Subsequently, officials from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority received the uranium consignment.
Multiple sources indicated that a total of nine consignments of nuclear fuel would be brought into the country. Of these, seven are intended for the second unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, currently under construction in Ishwardi of Pabna, and two are for the refueling of the first unit.
Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, has announced that the entire fuel supply process will be completed by December.
Authoritative sources stated that, through nine flights scheduled between November and December, an additional 48 fuel assemblies for the first unit and 163 fuel assemblies for the second unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will arrive in the country.
These uranium consignments are routed from Russia through Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India to reach the project site. Meanwhile, the police stated that they have been instructed to ensure security on the highway during the transportation of nuclear fuel to the Rooppur project site. Md Mahbubur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station, told New Age, ‘All preparations were made to ensure the uninterrupted transport of nuclear fuel to the project area. One lane was kept clear for the safe passage of the convoy carrying the uranium.’