In today's world when natural fuel such as oil and gas is increasingly getting dear, establishing a nuclear power plant is an alternative worth considering. However, it is not only costly to establish such a plant; safeguarding the plant poses a major challenge. Developed countries have nuclear power stations and so do some less developed countries in Asia like India and China but can Bangladesh, one of the poorest nations in the world, afford to build a nuclear power station? Well, many including the Bangladesh Government say yes.

Recently, a three-member delegation of nuclear scientists, headed by Secretary, Ministry of Science and Information Technology, SM Wahiduzaman visited Vienna, Austria, at the invitation of The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It was widely known even before the visit took place that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would extend technical assistance and support to power-starved Bangladesh for setting up nuclear power plants.

It is now assumed that Bangladesh will come up with a nuclear power plant of 1,000 MW with IAEA's assistance. The plant is likely to cost over 1.5 billion U.S. dollars and the Government says France and Korea among several other countries are interested in financing the plant.

Last year, IAEA approved the setting up of nuclear power plants in eight developing countries, Bangladesh being one of them. Already two IAEA officials visited Bangladesh in 2007 assuring the country of technical assistance.

The Government is said to be considering the idea of building a nuclear power plant for peaceful purpose in cooperation with China on the China-Pakistan model. China is interested to get involved in Rooppur nuclear power plant project. This was revealed when recently Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi visited Dhaka.

Building Nuclear Power Plants may be a permanent solution to the power crisis but it can also stir some concern. Dr. Mizanur Rahman Shelley, Chairman, Centre for Development Research, Bangladesh (CDRB), says in the short run a project of this kind needs a lot of investment and he does not see this can come so easily. Besides, he underlines the importance of ensuring security of such a plant.

Dr. M. Shamsul Alam, Director, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong University, (CHUET), thinks though a nuclear power plant can be a long-term solution, we have to take into account the negative sides - such as creating the environmental hazards -- of building such a plant. Besides, we need to ensure sufficient fund for purchasing nuclear fuel. According to him, this whole issue of Nuclear Power Plant involves international politics too.

Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Ph. D, President, Bangladesh Economic Association, and Chairman, Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad (BUP), does not see eye to eye; he favours building a nuclear power plant as it can be an effective cure for power crisis. "We should go for a nuclear power plant; though it is not so easy to do but we have to try." However, he doubts if we will be able to implement the project in the end.

Nuclear plants are developed for two reasons: making bombs and generating energy. Pointing this out Kholiquzzaman says we may face some opposition when undertaking building such plants. "We will do it, of course, for energy." He fears as we are a Muslim country, other countries may be suspicious about our intent and so we will have to overcome this impression by exerting our diplomatic capability.

Hossain Khaled, President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industries (DCCI), is hopeful that the Nuclear Power plant will be built in the country. "Regional cooperation will be useful in this area. Development of necessary manpower, infrastructure and ground work for such a project should be started as soon as possible."

Referring to the Rooppur nuclear power project, which started during the Pakistan period but was not implemented, Khaled says, "As there is an unprecedented increase in prices of petroleum and petroleum products, this project should be revived and implemented. The present status of the nuclear technology is safe, satisfactory and dependable."