Pakistan Blocks Airspace for Bangladesh, Rooppur Uranium Shipment Faces Major Delay

Dhaka: The consignment of uranium fuel coming from Russia for Bangladesh's Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant could not reach on time due to airspace clearance. Bangladesh's Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mehboob Anam said that the plane of the consignment arriving on September 24 was not allowed to pass through Pakistan's airspace. Russia's nuclear power company Rosatom has now rescheduled the delivery for early October. 

Why did the uranium plane get stuck in Pakistan's airspace?

According to Bangladeshi officials, the consignment of nuclear fuel coming from Russia for the Rooppur plant was to reach Dhaka on September 24. All preparations were complete to receive it at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, but the plane did not reach on time.

Bangladesh's Science and Technology Minister told ANI that the plane did not get permission to use Pakistani airspace. However, he also said that the exact reason for not giving clearance is not clear at the moment.

Did Pakistan deliberately stop the supply to Bangladesh?

In this case, it is too early to say whether Pakistan had any political reason behind not giving airspace clearance. Bangladeshi officials have also not given any definite reason for this.

Subsequent reports have revealed Pakistan airspace clearance was denied, while the Pakistan High Commission said requests for overflight and diplomatic flight clearance were handled under established rules and civil aviation procedures. 

When has Russia prepared to send nuclear fuel?

Rosatom has said that fuel supply to the second unit of Rooppur will start in October and is planned to continue till December. According to Bangladeshi officials, the first consignment under the revised schedule may arrive in the first week of October. 

However, there is an important difference here. According to project officials, the September 24 consignment was related to the next fuel reload of Rooppur Unit-1, while the consignments of initial fuel load of Unit-2 have a different schedule. According to the project director, the initial seven weekly flights for Unit-2 were planned from October 8.

How big a project is Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant?

Rooppur is the first nuclear power plant of Bangladesh. It is being built with the technical and financial assistance of Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear energy company. The project consists of two VVER-1200 reactors, with a combined capacity of about 2,400 MW. 

The fuel loading phase of the first unit has started this year and the plant is being progressed towards power generation. The second unit is currently in the construction and commissioning process. 

Will this delay have a major impact on the Rooppur plant?

According to the information available at present, this delay in fuel does not appear to have any immediate impact on the project. Project officials have said that fuel supply is being taken forward under the revised schedule.

Transportation of nuclear fuel to Rooppur involves airspace and related security clearances of many countries. Therefore, if there is a problem in clearance on any one route, the entire flight may be affected.

This development has highlighted the importance of international air routes and clearance for nuclear fuel transportation in Bangladesh.