Fifth Uranium Shipment Arrives at Rooppur Through Alternative Route

The fifth shipment of uranium imported from Russia has arrived at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant under tight security, marking the first time an alternative transportation route has been used instead of the traditional Dhaka-Tangail highway and Bangabandhu Bridge.

Three trucks carrying nuclear fuel reached the project site at around 7:30am on Friday under special security arrangements. The Bangladesh Army led the security operation, supported by other law enforcement agencies.

The convoy departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and travelled via the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, Padma Bridge, Bhanga in Faridpur, Rajbari, Kushtia and Lalon Shah Bridge in Pakshi before reaching Rooppur.

The alternative route had never previously been used to transport uranium to the nuclear power plant. The entire journey from Dhaka to Ishwardi was secured by the army, police, the Special Response Battalion (SRB) and members of various intelligence agencies.

With the latest arrival, five uranium shipments have now reached the Rooppur project site. Of these, one shipment was intended for Unit 1, while the remaining four were designated for Unit 2.

Previously, all uranium consignments were transported from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport through the Dhaka-Tangail highway, Bangabandhu Bridge, Bonpara in Natore and Dashuria in Ishwardi, Pabna.

Rooppur project Site-in-Charge KBM Ruhul Quddus told the Daily Sun over the phone that the alternative route was selected for security reasons to avoid potential clashes amid the ongoing garment workers' unrest in Gazipur.

Project officials said Unit 1 has already entered the 'Power Startup Stage-C' phase.

If progress continues as scheduled, the plant aims to begin supplying approximately 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid on a trial basis by late November or the first week of December.