BAEC and Rosatom step up public engagement on rooppur nuclear project

Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) and Rosatom are conducting a month-long series of awareness and outreach activities to promote public understanding of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and to deliver accurate and essential information to the general public.

The programmes include a nuclear bus tour, debate competitions, a cultural performance titled "Gambhira" and direct community engagement sessions known as "Uthan Baithak", aimed at interacting with local residents.

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the country's largest development project, is regarded as a symbol of national pride, with particular significance for the people of Pabna. To address questions, misconceptions, concerns and curiosity among local residents, BAEC and Rosatom have jointly organised the nuclear bus tour to present clear, reliable and straightforward information about the project.

Through the bus tour, people from all upazilas of Pabna district are getting the opportunity to interact directly with relevant representatives and learn about the safety, environmental, technological and socio-economic importance of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

A debate competition and question-and-answer session on nuclear technology were also held jointly by the Nuclear Information Centre and the Department of Geography and Environmental Science of Pabna University of Science and Technology. Teachers and students from the department, along with officials from BAEC and Rosatom, attended the programme.

In addition, two more notable awareness initiatives are being implemented this month. These include the cultural performance "Gambhira: Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant – fulfilling the dream" and several Uthan Baithak sessions with the participation of local residents.

Based on the theme "sustainable, safe, affordable and environment-friendly Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant", the Gambhira performance aims to highlight the necessity and importance of the project through entertainment and logical presentation. Through the Uthan Baithak sessions, organisers are engaging directly with local communities to raise awareness, provide factual answers to various questions, address concerns and build positive public opinion in favour of the project.

BAEC and Rosatom believe that continuous and participatory awareness programmes will further strengthen public confidence in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and create a clearer understanding of its role in the country's sustainable development.

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is set to begin operations soon following fuel loading and will add 2,400 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.