The Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) has proposed a 91% increase in the budget for establishing the telecommunications network at the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna. Originally projected to cost BDT 3.7884 billion and to be completed between April 2022 and March 2024, the project has made only 0.01% progress, both financially and in terms of implementation.
BTCL has requested an additional BDT 3.45 billion to accelerate the project, bringing the total estimated cost to BDT 7.24 billion. The proposal, though met with questions from the Planning Commission, has been forwarded to the planning advisor’s desk for final approval after several rounds of discussion. Rehana Parveen, a secretary-level member of the Socio-Economic Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, explained that the additional funding is intended to expedite the project’s implementation.
The project director, Shafiqul, cited currency devaluation—from 84 to 120 BDT per dollar—and rising fiber optic rental costs as primary factors driving the increased budget. The project is also included in the 2024-25 Annual Development Programme (ADP) with an allocation of BDT 1.84 billion.
Initially approved in 2022 under the Ministry of Science and Technology, the project titled “Establishment of External Telecommunication Network for Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant” is funded entirely by the government. Despite swift initial approval, BTCL has yet to finalize a contract with the Russian consulting firm overseeing the project. BTCL has also proposed extending the completion timeline by two years, setting a new deadline for June 2026.