A uranium fuel consignment for Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has begun its journey from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to the plant in Pabna under tight security arrangements.
The convoy, carrying fuel for the plant’s first unit, left the airport at around 7.15am on Saturday (3 October). Three lorries are transporting the consignment, with security provided by the Bangladesh Army alongside SRB, police and personnel from several intelligence agencies.
The movement of the nuclear fuel is being carried out under heightened security because of the sensitive nature of the consignment. Authorities have coordinated the transportation arrangements to ensure the fuel reaches the Rooppur facility safely from the capital.
The consignment arrived in Bangladesh late on Friday night. The aircraft carrying the fuel for Rooppur’s first unit landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 11.30pm. Officials from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority subsequently received the uranium shipment.
The arrival marks another step in the planned delivery of nuclear fuel required for the operation of Rooppur’s generating units. Nuclear fuel assemblies are a key component of a nuclear power plant, and their delivery involves regulatory oversight as well as specialised transport and security arrangements.
According to the plan, nine more flights are expected to bring additional uranium fuel assemblies to Bangladesh during November and December. Of these, 48 additional fuel assemblies are intended for Rooppur’s first unit, while 163 assemblies are planned for the second unit.
The consignments are scheduled to travel to Bangladesh through a multi-country route. The planned route begins in Russia and passes through Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India before reaching Bangladesh.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, located in Ishwardi, Pabna, is Bangladesh’s first nuclear power project. The project consists of two generating units and is being developed with Russian technology and support. The delivery of nuclear fuel is therefore a significant part of the wider preparations associated with bringing the plant’s units into operation.
For the authorities, the safe movement of the fuel from the airport to the plant is a critical logistical operation. The involvement of the Army, police, SRB and intelligence agencies reflects the level of security being maintained during the transportation process.
The latest convoy is now making its way towards Rooppur, while further consignments for both units are expected to arrive over the coming months under the planned delivery schedule.
