Technical glitch delays generation at Rooppur: Faqir Mahbub

Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam today (3 September) said fuel loading has begun at the country's nuclear power plant, but the target of supplying around 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid is facing a delay due to a problem with a valve.

He said the target was to supply around 300 megawatts to the national grid within six months of starting fuel loading on 28 April this year.

"We have started fuel loading at Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. We were supposed to provide electricity to the national grid within four to six months from the start of fuel loading. Around 300 megawatts was our target," he said at a press conference at the ICT Division conference room marking 180 days of the BNP government.

The minister said the project had reached a critical stage, but one valve was not opening as expected despite temperature and pressure tests. Of three pairs of valves, one pair was working properly while problems had emerged with the other two pairs.

He said the valve was expected to open automatically at a pressure of 18.1, but it was not opening, preventing the project from moving to the critical stage.

"We are stuck here. There is nothing to rush in such a matter," he said.

Faqir Mahbub Anam said scientists, including the chief Russian designer and other scientists, are working on the problem.

He said the process of removing, repairing, reinstalling and testing the valve was taking around one to one and a half months, causing the project to fall behind its target timeline.

The minister said he had discussed the matter with the company involved in the nuclear project and the scientists; the project director and the secretary concerned were continuously working on it.

He said during his visit to Washington last week, he had also raised the issue with a director general of Rosatom, who had assured him that more and stronger teams of scientists would be sent to identify the problem.

Faqir Mahbub Anam said such a large project could face some problems. Similar projects could take at least 10 years to start, while Bangladesh had begun its project after nine years, he said.

Govt plans to upgrade over 9,000 post offices

The posts, telecommunications and information technology minister today also said the government plans to upgrade more than 9,000 post offices across the country to modernise postal services and bring them to people's doorsteps.

He said the government plans to modernise the postal service and explore ways to update it in line with international practices to provide services at people's doorsteps, noting that people have confidence in government-run postal services.

"We want to upgrade these 9,000-plus post offices in Bangladesh," he said.

The minister said the government was already moving forward with joint ventures, investment and technology support from some Chinese postal companies to further improve the postal service.

He said 10 postal franchises had already been inaugurated and the number would be increased in the future.