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Pakistan Airspace Denial Delays Rooppur Plant’s Unit 2 Uranium Shipment
Bangladesh is building its first nuclear power plant called Rooppur.
Fuel for the plant’s second reactor was supposed to arrive by airplane on September 24.
The airplane needed to fly through Pakistani airspace.
Pakistan did not give permission for that route.
Because of this, the uranium did not arrive on time.
Bangladesh and Russia are now considering a new delivery date in early October.
The plant will have two reactors that are expected to produce electricity.
Russia’s Rosatom is helping Bangladesh build the plant.
Uranium for Unit 2 of Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant missed its scheduled September 24 arrival.
Bangladesh said Pakistan denied the cargo flight permission to use its airspace, disrupting the shipment.
Bangladeshi officials said the exact reason for Pakistan’s decision and the responsible country’s role remain unclear.
Russia has proposed a new delivery date in the first week of October, according to Bangladesh.
The Rooppur project includes two VVER-1200 reactors designed to produce 2,400 megawatts combined.
- Who
- Bangladesh, Russia’s Rosatom, and Pakistan are involved in the delayed shipment; Bangladesh officials reported the disruption.
- What
- A cargo flight carrying uranium fuel for Rooppur’s Unit 2 was delayed after it lacked clearance to use Pakistani airspace.
- Where
- The fuel is intended for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna District, Bangladesh.
- When
- The shipment was scheduled for September 24, 2026, with a possible rescheduled arrival in the first week of October.
- Why
- The flight could not proceed through the planned airspace route; the exact reason for Pakistan’s denial remains unknown.
Key facts
- Project
- Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
- Country
- Bangladesh
- Delayed shipment
- Uranium fuel for Unit 2
- Original arrival date
- September 24, 2026
- Proposed replacement date
- First week of October
- Reactors
- Two third-generation VVER-1200 units
- Combined capacity
- 2,400 megawatts
- Russian partner
- State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom
Quotes
Sheikh Mohammed Tauhidul Islam
Joint Secretary to Bangladesh’s Science and Technology Ministry
“We had completed all the preparations at the airport and were waiting, but the liaison officer from Rosatom told us that the airspace was not clear. So we couldn’t send it. It may need to be rescheduled”
thehindubusinessline.com
“A new date has been proposed, with Russia indicating the first week of October for the uranium to arrive in Bangladesh”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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