‘Nuclear Bus Tour’ creates huge public interest

The 5-day Nuclear Bus Tour was successfully ended on Monday in Dhaka.

The tour was designed to create public interest in science and technology, awareness about nuclear technology, its safety and eco-friendliness as well as its versatile application in different spheres of life, reads a press release.

Architect Yeafesh Osman, minister for science and technology accompanied by Md. Shawkat Akbar, project director, construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project and managing director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Ltd (NPCBL) formally inaugurated the Nuclear Bus Tour in Dhaka on December 23.

“The Nuclear Bus Tour was a pilot project for us within the framework of Russia-Bangladesh joint communication plan on nuclear energy. We are really inspired by the overwhelming success of the initiative and actively considering to organise similar bus tours in the coming years,” said Andrey Shevlyakov, CEO, Rosatom South Asia Marketing (India) Private Limited.

The specially branded bus titled as ‘Nuclear Bus’ toured across different districts of Dhaka, Mymensingh, Rajshahi and Chattogram divisions to cover over 15 districts.

A team of young engineers from Information Center on Nuclear Energy (ICONE), Dhaka and Public Information Centre (PIC) on Nuclear, Ishwardi organised over 30 roadside public events along the route attracting more than 4,800 people of all ages.

During each event young professionals closely interacted with people, briefed them on the use of nuclear technology in safe generation of eco-friendly electricity, especially on Roopur Nuclear Power Plant and its safety features and also the socio-ecomic benefits of the project, it reads.

They also answered to the questions from the public. Science-based quiz competition and games were the added attractions for the public. Most active participants and winners of competitions received attractive souvenirs and gifts.

Besides, informative leaflets, booklets on nuclear were also distributed among the participants.

The bus tour was organised with the active support from ministry of science and technology (MoST), Bangladesh, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and Russian State Corporation ROSATOM.

The first ever Nuclear Power Plant of Bangladesh at Rooppur of Ishwardi Upazilla is being implemented with the financial and technical assistance from Russia.

The Rooppur NPP will host two units, each with a generation III+ Russian VVER 12OO reactor, which meets all international safety requirements.