Even though commercial launch of the first unit of the Rooppur nuclear power plant approaches in December this year, the Ministry of Science and Technology has not yet initiated the construction of a modern, high-speed external telecommunication network tailored to support this significant infrastructure.
The project aims to establish a telecom exchange with a network, initiated in April 2022 with an estimated cost of Tk378.84 crore. However, Progress has been minimal, with less than 2% completion achieved over its two-year tenure due to various complications, including consultant deployment issues.
Sources from the planning ministry revealed that the implementing agency has submitted a proposal to the planning commission to extend the project tenure by an additional 2.25 years until June 2026, accompanied by an increased estimated cost of Tk344.94 crore.
Additionally, the proposal disclosed that the Ministry of Science and Technology has requested Tk723.78 crore for project implementation, representing a significant 91.05% increase from the initial estimation.
The proposal revealed that the project was supposed to ensure modern telephone and high-speed internet services at the off-site of the power plant and other related facilities by developing the external telecommunication network for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
“There is an obligation to complete the project before the start of power generation at this plant to ensure an uninterrupted telecommunication system between the Rooppur nuclear power plant and related ministries, departments, and organizations with the National Nuclear and Radioactivity Management Center," said officials of the planning ministry.
The proposal revealed that the project was intended to ensure modern telephone and high-speed internet services at the off-site of the power plant and other related facilities by developing the external telecommunication network for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
"There is an obligation to complete the project before the start of power generation at this plant to ensure an uninterrupted telecommunication system between the Rooppur nuclear power plant and related ministries, departments, and organizations with the National Nuclear and Radioactivity Management Center," said officials of the planning ministry.
Shafiqur Rahman, director of the project said that, the work of the project to be completed with the advice of local experts as Russian consultants are not available.
Responding a question regarding cost hike he said that, several components were not properly estimated at the initial DPP. Moreover, some of new components have been added to the project.
He also said that the telecommunication system has to be established before the start of the nuclear power plant that is why the project needs to be completed quickly.
