Dhaka, April 16 -- The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) has approved fuel (uranium) loading for the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, marking a key milestone for the project.

If all goes as planned, the inauguration of the fuel loading process may take place by the end of April, BAERA Chairman Mahmudul Hasan said on Thursday.

He said an initial plan to launch the process on Apr 7 had been postponed due to technical and safety-related issues.

"The decision to proceed with fuel loading has been taken after ensuring all safety requirements," he said.

Zahedul Hassan, managing director of the state-owned Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), said all necessary approvals, including those r...