Bangladesh's Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman has said that the government is trying to complete the construction work of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project within the stipulated timeframe. “Due to the Russia-Ukraine war and subsequent dollar crisis, work of the project has been delayed to some extent,” he remarked while briefing reporters after a joint meeting of his ministry with the Power Division on Wednesday (November 09, 2022) at Dhaka’s Bidyut Bhaban. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid was also present at the meeting. The meeting was convened to discuss the progress of the construction of a power transmission line from the nuclear power plant in Rooppur in Pabna. Read: Bridge cranes installed at Unit 2 of Rooppur NPP The 2400 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, with two units, was undertaken in 2010. A target was set by the government to complete the construction of the first unit in 2022 and second unit in 2023. But later the target was reset, and the first unit was to be completed by June 2024 and second unit by June 2025. Sources involved in the project believe it may miss the new timeline again. Yeafesh Osman today did not specify any timeframe. Read: 178 Russians employees of Rooppur Nuclear Power Project leave Bangladesh “We’re trying to get this done,” he said, adding that both the Science and Technology Ministry and the Power Division will work together in a coordinated manner to complete the project. About the power transmission line, Nasrul Hamid said the project was also delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war. “Now efforts are being made to expedite the project implementation”, he said. He said the transmission line crossing the Padma river is a major work which may take another one and a half years to complete. Read More: Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to get powerful reactors: Rosatom DG “We hope we can complete the transmission line before completion of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project,” he said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Bulah Ahmed, wife of Science and Technology Affairs Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen along with senior officials of the ministry recently visited the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) as part of its efforts to promote the peaceful use of nuclear technology across the world.