Agreement signed between Bangladesh’s Power Development Board (PDB) and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to build a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power plant; PM Sheikh Hasina: Concerted action by the member states of SAARC is required to dea
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    • January 30 – February 05

    According to reports, the Power Development Board (PDB) of Bangladesh penned an agreement with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) of India to build a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power plant at Rampal in Bagerhat on January 29, 2012. ASM Alamgir Kabir, chairman of PDB, and Arup Roy Choudhury, chairman and managing director of the New Delhi-based company, signed the deal to install two units of the plant with 660 MW generation capacity each.1 However, the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports has demanded cancellation of the deal signed with India to build a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power plant at Rampal in Bagerhat, saying this will put the Sundarbans and adjacent rivers at risks of severe pollution. 2
    In another development, according to reports, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for a concerted action by the member states of SAARC to deal with the problems that arose due to the global financial turmoil. She made the comment while addressing the inaugural session of 5th SAARC Finance Ministers' Meeting at Hotel Ruposhi Bangla. 3
    According to reports, Nepal, on January 31, 2012 proposed setting up a 3,000-megawatt power plant in its territory in a joint venture with Bangladesh. Nepalese Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun made the proposal at a meeting with Finance Minister AMA Muhith at the latter's secretariat office. Kathmandu also requested Dhaka for transit from Mongla to Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh district. 4
    Meanwhile, in a bid to attract more passengers, railway officials of Bangladesh and India have agreed in principle to operate a passenger train between Khulna and Kolkata. This would be the second train link between the two neighbours after the Maitree Express on Dhaka-Kolkata route. The decision was made at an inter-governmental railway meeting held in Dhaka on January 10-12. 5
    In other developments, according to reports, Environment and Forests Minister of Bangladesh Hasan Mahmud hoisted the national flag of Bangladesh at Antarctica during his visit with former US Vice President Al Gore. 6

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