Nuclear power plant
The government is soon going to sign a deal with Russia for setting up a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. As a matter of fact, we are not against it. However, we urge upon the government to take a technical decision on the matter, rather than a political or bureaucratic decision. Nuclear power plant is a very complex establishment and we have virtually no experience about it. So, before embarking upon the project please do prepare a feasibility report on the project. Nuclear power plant is a water hungry project. Estimate the water requirement for the project and see whether the location, presumably Rooppur, which is in the driest part of Bangladesh may have such huge source of water to cater to the needs of the plant. Globally, nuclear power projects are located far away from human habitation for obvious reasons. In India, all their nuclear projects are in the desert areas. Bangladesh has no desert and it is the most densely populated country in the world. Whether a nuclear project will be feasible in such a populous country that needs to be assessed with the utmost importance. How we are going to dump the radioactive nuclear fuel wastes? What is the source of fuel i.e. enriched uranium? Are we going to be subservient to a particular country for source of fuel which is knowingly available with only Russia, USA, UK, and France? The planning process also demands a feasibility study to be made before undertaking any such a billion dollar project. The study will address all aspects of the project including capacity, source of fuel, reactor building technology, radioactive waste dumping method, investment and operation cost, cost of generation, profitability, comparison with conventional power plants, life of the plant, combating hazards and accident, environmental impact etc.
After the feasibility report is prepared, it will be easier for the decision makers to decide the appropriate course of action. So, we request the government to move professionally with the project, rather than taking any hasty politically biased decision. Because that may be disastrous and irreversible.
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