What happened to the nuclear plant for which India and Russia were providing help?

Bangladesh Violence / What happened to the nuclear plant for which India and Russia were providing help?

Bangladesh Violence - What happened to the nuclear plant for which India and Russia were providing help?

Bangladesh Violence: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family have been accused of a $5 billion scam linked to the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP). However, Russian Ambassador Alexander Mantitsky has rejected the allegation as he says the plant is still under construction and it is impossible to pay such a huge amount.

The RNPP is Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant, which is being developed by Russia's state-owned company ROSATOM. Sheikh Hasina's dream project is progressing in collaboration with India and Russia. Recently, the important transport lock for Unit-2 of the plant has been delivered to the site. This lock will ensure the safety of radioactive materials and help in fire safety.

According to Rosatom, about 85% of the construction of the RNPP has been completed. Unit-1 is expected to be operational this year, while Unit-2 will start next year. Sheikh Hasina had expressed her desire to get Unit-3 and Unit-4 constructed by ROSATOM, but after her government's departure, the future of these units is unclear. Nevertheless, Russia has said that assistance will continue.

How far has the construction of the nuclear plant reached?

After the political upheaval in Bangladesh in the past, such allegations were bound to be made, but after the departure of Sheikh Hasina's government, how far has the work of this nuclear power plant reached now?

According to the latest information, a part of the nuclear fuel handling system for Unit-2 of the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) has been delivered to the transport lock construction site. According to Rosatom, the Russian company that built the RNPP, the transport lock will soon be installed in the reactor building, which is a more precise and most difficult task. The main function of the transport lock is to maintain radioactive substances inside the containment and ensure fire safety. This lock, weighing 235 tonnes, is a cylindrical structure, 12.7 metres long and 10 metres in diameter.

85% work of RNPP completed - Rosatom

According to Rosatom, about 85 percent of the work of RNPP has been completed. There are 2 units in Ruppur Nuclear Plant, it will have VVER-1200 reactors with a total capacity of 2400 MW. According to the information, its Unit-1 was to be commissioned this year. Whereas Unit-2 will be commissioned next year. That is, by next year this nuclear power plant will be fully operational.

On the other hand, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina wanted ROSATAM to build its Unit-3 and Unit-4, but after the government has gone, there is uncertainty about what will be the future of these two units. However, Russian Ambassador Alexander Mantitsky has expressed his desire to continue Russia's assistance for this nuclear power plant during a courtesy visit to the head of the interim government of Bangladesh, Mohammad Yunus.