November 30 to be observed as National Nuclear Day

The Ministry of Science and Technology has announced to celebrate November 30 as the National Nuclear Day. 

The day will be observed nation-wide to mark the first concrete pouring into the first unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant on November 30 in 2017, said a source of the ministry.

The first unit is expected to start generating electricity by October 2024. The 2400 megawatt nuclear power project has two units with 1200 megawatt capacity for each. While, the second unit, whose concrete was poured in August 2018, will be operational one year later after the first unit.

"Very few countries in the world have nuclear power projects, and we are proud to be one of them. To commemorate the occasion, the ministry has decided to celebrate the first concrete pouring day as the National Nuclear Day," said Alok Chakraborty, chief administrative officer at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project.

Russia is funding the first-ever nuclear power plant project in Bangladesh and also providing technological support. The total cost of the mega-project is estimated to be $13 billion, which is scheduled to be completed in 2025.