Unusual delay in implementing the 'Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant' (RNPP) project has raised doubt about its future while power shortage still remains a big hurdle to industrialisation of northern Bangladesh.

Conceived in the early 60s to provide plentiful energy, the RNPP project -- an ambitious plan remains still a dream of a few enthusiastic scientists working in Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).

While talking to The Daily Star a senior BAEC official involved with the project preferring anonymity speaks of the 'sensitivity' of the issue.

"The dream project, adopted during the Ayub regime of Pakistan in 1961, was lying unimplemented due to lack of political will," he said, but he did not elaborate.

It will take five to seven years to complete the project redesigned in 1996 with a plan for a 600 megawatt nuclear power plant at a cost of about US 900 million dollars, he added.

The nuclear power plant had been on agenda since 1971, but not moved much in the past 31 years.

Successive governments have shelved the project, but still spend Tk 35 lakh each year on salaries and maintenance of the project establishment at Rooppur.

The authorities concerned, however, say that lack of funds stands in the way of implementation of the project, now a four decade old plan.

The power plant was supposed to be set up on 292-acre of land near Hardinge Bridge in Pabna. At least 72 buildings including administrative buildings and residential quarters to house the employees, administrators, scientists and guest houses were put in place in the early 70s. About 22 lakh bricks were piled up for further construction work.

But much of the infrastructure has now lost its luster. Almost all the houses have gradually been abandoned, being unsuitable for habitation. A portion of the project site has turned into a grazing field while farmers from the neighbouring villages use about 260 acres of the project land for cultivation on lease.

In last 41 years, feasibility studies were done many times, all of which spoke in favour of establishing a nuclear power plant at Rooppur.

Rooppur, an expert says, could be a major political issue for the northern region of the country.

The generation cost of nuclear power will be half of the average price of electricity, now produced mostly with fast depleting natural gas.

A lot depends on Rooppur, if the issue of giving the energy starved northern region a chance to move forward by establishing industries.