The Ministry of Science and Information Communication Technology wants more land in Iswardhi upazila of Pabna district to implement the country's first nuclear power project.
“We need to acquire more land in char areas to establish 'intake channels' for smooth handling of equipment for the nuclear power project,” a senior official of the ministry told The Independent.

The official said the ministry has pleaded with the Prime Minister during the third meeting of the National Committee on the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project held at her office on August 7. “We sought the PM's intervention to use the existing facilities of the Lalonshah Bridge, including all installations, on a permanent basis,” he added.
Finance minister AMA Muhith, planning minister AK Khandaker, agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury, PM's advisers HT Imam, Taufiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and Dr Mashiur Rahman, state minister for science and information communication technology Yeafesh Osman and secretaries in various ministries were present at the review meeting.
He said the authorities have decided not to implement the project right now and that the decision would help cut the cost of the project.
The government is set to start a USD 300 million civil engineering work related to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project from September.
“The Premier has directed ministers to ensure smooth implementation of the project in due time," the official said.
The government formed the committee for reviewing, monitoring and providing directives to implement the "first-track-first project” on a priority basis. The government has started feasibility study, site design and data analysis for the whole project.
Bangladesh signed a feasibility study contract with Russia to implement the country's first nuclear power plant (NPP) to generate 2,000 MW of electricity in Rooppur, 125 km north-west of Dhaka.
The government will set up two nuclear plants, with a capacity of 1,000 MW of electricity each, in Rooppur, with the latest "third generation" technology from Russia, according to sources.
Russia will provide funds for construction of the plants. It would take about USD 2 billion-2.5 billion to set up a 1,000 MW power plant, depending on the required security features and technology standards.