Dhaka, Oct. 8 -- After a long wait, Bangladesh has approved the start of a controlled chain reaction at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna's Ishurdi.

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) granted the approval on Thursday, moving the unit from a static phase into active operation and opening the possibility of trial electricity supply to the national grid by late December.

BAERA Chairman Mahmudul Hasan said two more regulatory approvals would be required before the unit can formally supply power to the grid.

Project officials said approval was delayed by technical complications involving the unit's automatic pressure-relief safety valves, known as PORV/POSV.

A team of Russian specialists late...