Power project under political consideration
Monday, 30 April 2012
Author / Source : JAGARAN CHAKMA
DHAKA, APR 29: Despite having no notable progress in power situation during the last three years of the grand alliance government, Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) is going to undertake another project for line expansion under political consideration. However, the project evaluation committee (PEC) of planning commission raised a number of questions about the details project plan (DPP) and asked for clarification on different proposals of the project.
Already PGCB has submitted a project titled “National Transmission Network Development project” to the planning commission to evaluate the DPP. PGCB estimated Tk 2452 crore for implementation of the project during 2012 -16.
According to the DPP, of the total cost, Tk. 1819 crore would come from project assistance, Tk 258 crore from PGB and the rest from the government fund.
Earlier, Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) had to approve a Tk. 5,440 crore project titled “rural electricity line expansion” for the benefit of 18 lakh new subscribers, as the Awami League government is willing to loosen its belt on political considerations despite the growing budget deficits.
According to the DPP, PGCB proposed for acquisition of 63 acres of land for establishment of two new sub-stations and 11 new grid system sub-stations.
PGCB argued for the project to release power from the proposed coal based 282 Megawatt (MW) and 1320 MW power plants at Anwara in Chittagong, supply of power to Chittagong city corporation area via Rampur and Shikalbaha and meet up the additional demand for power through proposed 132/33 KV sub-station (Agrabad, Ramganj, Bhaluka, Baraierhat, benapol, Shariatpur, Barisal, Mohasthangarh, Jaldhaka and Rajshahi area).
Planning commission sources said, JICA will provide Tk. 1819 crore under the agreement of Minutes of Discussion (MoD) signed between Bangladesh and JICA on December 22, 2011.
Meanwhile, PEC asked PGCB to inform about the implementation process of proposed coal based power plants. It also asked PGCB to clarify the issue regarding the proposed employment for the project as well as it urged to mention details about the staffs in the DPP.
PEC further urged PGCB to clarify whether construction of river crossing tower will be mandatory or not during implementation of the project.
Besides, PEC demanded clarification on proposed custom duty VAT of Tk. 376 crore.
On April 26 at a pre-budget discussion, chairmen and members of the different parliamentary standing committees pressured the finance minister AMA Muhith for additional allocation in the up coming national budget for the power sector to improve acute power crisis. They also suggested allocating budget for establishment of new power line expansion for future use.
Power project under political consideration