Controversy Over Delay in Uranium Shipment from Russia to Bangladesh’s Nuclear Power Plant
The shipment of uranium from Russia for the second unit of Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has not arrived on schedule. Some in Bangladesh attribute the delay to Pakistan, alleging that Pakistan denied flight permission to the plane carrying the uranium through its airspace. This issue has sparked widespread debate, criticism, and controversy across Bangladesh. Various opinions have circulated on social media platforms as well. Although relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have recently improved, questions remain regarding Islamabad’s decision to restrict the flight.
Regarding the matter, Umar Daraz Nangia of BBC Urdu questioned Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Sajjad Haider. Haider stated, “The approval related to air route and airspace use is a technical and administrative procedure. Generally, coordination is required between aviation authorities and concerned officials, which can lead to adjustments in flight schedules.” Meanwhile, concerns are mounting over whether the commercial start of electricity generation at Rooppur will face further delays due to the uranium’s delayed arrival. Bangladesh’s internal political climate and electricity supply situation have intensified interest in this issue.
Already strained by a fuel shortage, Bangladesh’s electricity supply faces additional pressure from this incident. Against this backdrop, Bangladesh is aiming to connect electricity generated from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to the national grid as soon as possible to address the energy crisis. However, due to technical challenges and the uranium’s delayed delivery, there are fears that the start of generation could be postponed further. Rosatom, the Russian state-owned nuclear energy company, has issued a statement regarding the revised uranium supply schedule.
The transportation of nuclear fuel is considered extremely sensitive globally and requires strict adherence to special regulations and protocols. According to international rules, flights carrying nuclear materials must obtain diplomatic overflight clearance from each country’s airspace. Rosatom stated that the flight carrying uranium for the Rooppur project was canceled due to delayed airspace permission; however, it did not explicitly name Pakistan. On social media, opinions vary regarding the improvement of relations with Pakistan amid this controversy. BBC Urdu also sought Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry’s perspective, which emphasized that airspace use and diplomatic flight approvals are conducted fully in accordance with regulations and civil aviation procedures.
