Pabna, Aug 31 (V7N) — A stakeholder workshop and tabletop exercise have been held at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna to strengthen preparedness, coordination and response capabilities among national and local agencies for potential nuclear or radiological emergencies.
Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL) organised the workshop and exercise on Saturday afternoon at the PD House in Green City, Ishwardi upazila of Pabna.
Representatives from the district administrations of Pabna and Kushtia, police, health authorities, Fire Service and Civil Defence, local government representatives, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA), Rooppur project officials and other relevant stakeholders attended the programme.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Dr Syeda Naushin Parnini attended the event as the chief guest. BAERA Chairman Mahmudul Hasan was present as a special guest, while NPCBL Managing Director Dr Md Zahedul Hasan chaired the workshop.
The first session focused on the safety arrangements at the Rooppur plant, emergency preparedness and response, national and international regulatory frameworks, and the responsibilities and roles of relevant agencies.
In his presentation, Dr Zahedul Hasan highlighted the plant's modern safety design, active and passive safety systems, compliance with international standards and the importance of effective emergency preparedness.
The second session featured a tabletop exercise based on a hypothetical emergency scenario. Participants practised their respective responsibilities, inter-agency coordination, information-sharing and decision-making processes during an emergency.
Speakers at the workshop stressed the importance of coordinated preparedness among relevant national and local institutions to effectively respond to any potential nuclear or radiological emergency.
They said regular training, exercises and inter-agency coordination would help strengthen response capabilities while further enhancing public safety and confidence.
In her speech, chief guest Dr Syeda Naushin Parnini said the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was an important milestone for Bangladesh's energy security and sustainable development.
"Alongside safe operation, effective emergency preparedness, inter-agency coordination and regular exercises are extremely important for building public confidence," she said.
BAERA Chairman Mahmudul Hasan said integrated preparedness among the operator, regulatory authorities and other relevant institutions, in line with national regulations and the safety standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), would help ensure public safety and strengthen confidence in Bangladesh's nuclear power programme.
NPCBL Managing Director Dr Md Zahedul Hasan said the likelihood of a general emergency occurring at Rooppur was extremely low.
"Even though the likelihood is low, it is essential to maintain the highest level of preparedness in accordance with national regulations and IAEA safety standards," he said.
He added that safe operation depended not only on technology but also on the combination of skilled personnel, a strong safety culture and effective emergency preparedness.
Dr Zahedul Hasan said NPCBL's skilled operations team was prepared to operate the plant in accordance with international standards with the support of experienced Russian operating specialists.
He described this integrated capability as one of the key foundations for strengthening public confidence in the project.
Rooppur project Director Dr Md Kabir Hossain said emergency preparedness and the coordinated role of all stakeholders were crucial to ensuring the safe operation of the power plant.
The tabletop emergency response exercise was coordinated by NPCBL officials Md Rabiul Islam and Md Sabbir Ahmed.
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