An adviser to the prime minister on Saturday emphasised careful consideration of the environmental risks posed by the coal-based power plant project in Rampal near Sundarbans.
Masihur Rahman, the economic affairs adviser, made a slight hint at shifting the government’s official position on the power project, opposed by environmentalist groups.
Addressing a seminar at Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Masihur, hailed from Khulna, described him as an advocate of setting up power plants there.
“But that does not mean that it shall not be taken into account (while implementing the project) if there is any environmental concern,” he said.
The seminar on “Issues and challenges of financial closure of large and mega power projects” turned into debates on the Rampal power plant.
“Rampal has now been a matter of debate – it may well be for right or wrong reasons. I was in fact in favour of establishment of power plants in this region,” the adviser told the seminar chaired by DCCI president Hossain Khaled.
The adviser pointed out that Khulna industrial has become moribund these days and instead, there has been quite a number of medium-sized industrial units on the two sides of the Jessore-Khulna highway.
“These industries cannot utilise 60-70 per cent of their capacities due to shortage of gas and electricity. Their production would be double if we can supply necessary energy,” he added.
He mentioned that he had information that the Rampal power plant is being constructed 4-6 miles away from the reserved forest of the Sundarbans.
“Still if there is any issue of environmental concerns, that must be dealt with utmost caution,” he said.
The government went ahead with its initiative to implement and recently signed agreement with India for setting up a 1,320-megawatt power plant in Rampal – a mega project, which environmentalists say, would damage the world’s largest mangrove forest.
Former power division secretary M Fauzul Kabir Khan, addressing the discussion, said the Rampal project is not in any way helping the development of the power sector. “It has created controversies and is should be shifted elsewhere,” he added.
However, director general of the power cell of the power division Mohammad Hossain expressed his views that the plant would not cause any harm. He claimed that they had reliable study report in this regard.
Source: Prothom Alo
