Energy Bangla

Constructing the Rooppur nuclear power plant without meeting all safety and environmental standards and preparation of skilled human resource could be a suicidal move, said experts at a discussion on 15th February.
The discussion, “Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant: Prospects and Concerns”, was organised by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Doctors for Health and Environment in Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Abdul Matin, former chief engineer of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, said choosing a densely populated site like Rooppur multiplies the danger.“In case of an accident, shall we have enough logistics to move 30 million people in a short notice and provide them with food, shelter, sanitation and medical facilities for years or decades?” he asked.“If we are not prepared with necessary manpower to do this job now, it is advisable to wait and build the manpower first,” he added.
Citing examples of past nuclear accidents, former International Atomic Energy Agency director Jasim Uddin Ahmed said it would be difficult to handle such a disaster. “About three million people in a radius of 30 kilometres will be directly affected if an accident takes place,” he said.
Bapa General Secretary Dr MA Matin and Pinaki Bhattacharya, a blogger and online activist, also spoke.