Bangladesh government has claimed that a section of people and organisations are spreading ‘propaganda’ against the coal-based Rampal Thermal Power Plant, to be set up near the Sundarbans at the joint initiative of Bangladesh and India.
The government through a press note has clarified its latest stance on the project which the environmentalists believe will endanger the very existence of the world’s largest mangrove forest.
The statement was issued by the government’s Information Department on Thursday in the face of a long march that is advancing toward the site of the power plant in Bagherhat.
“Some individuals/organisations are trying to confuse people about this government effort by spreading misinformation. The government is implementing the project which is very important in the interest of the people,” states the press note.
The Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury on Wednesday announced that the MW 1,320 power plant will be founded on Oct 22.
Members of the National Committee on Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, and Power-Port are heading for the plant site, barely 14km off the Sundarbans, in a Long-march in a bid to stall the project.
The government has been claiming that the environment would not be harmed, as there would be enough checks to prevent pollution.
The government press note said the power plant has been approved to be built 14 km off the Sundarbans and 72 km from the UNESCO announced National Heritage Site. The government claimed the distance is safe enough for a coal-based power plant to be set up.
“The plant will be run using imported high standard coal and it is based on a super critical technology. It will keep Sulfar, fly ash, and air pollution by other means to a minimum level which will not harm the environment anyway.”
The project will be implemented following all the advices of the Environment Department, said the press note.
Source: Bd news24
