Shikolbaha power project approved

FE Team | Published: October 09, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

FE Report
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved Monday the installation of 150-megawatt (MW) power plant at Shikolbaha in Chittagong in order to help augment the country's power generation.
The Committee at its meeting in Dhaka also approved an integrated development project for Begunbari-Hatirjheel area along with 10 other projects.
A total of Tk 50.58 billion fund will be required for implementing the 12 projects, including Tk 16.09 billion coming from different bilateral and multilateral donors for six projects.
Presided over by the Chief Adviser, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, the ECNEC meeting was attended by advisers, secretaries and high officials of different ministries.
Under the Begunbari-Hatirjheel integrated development project, an 11-kilometre east-west transport road, 14-kilometre walkway, 320-metre bridge and 250-metre overpass will be constructed.
Emerging from the meeting, Planning Secretary Zafar Ahmed Chowdhury told reporters that the integrated project would be implemented in three and a half years, starting from current fiscal 2007-08.
"After completion of the project traffic snarl in the city will ease. It will also improve the drainage system of the city that would help flush out rain-water quickly," he added.
To a query, Chowdhury said he was not aware whether the BGMEA building in the Hatirjheel had to be demolished to implement the coordinated development project. "The need may or may not arise, I cannot confirm you as the project document is not with me," he said.
Meanwhile, sources in the Power Division said following the approval of the Sikolbaha power project by the ECNEC the offers of the selected bidders would now be placed before the Council Committee on Public Purchase soon. After getting the approval, the work order for setting up the plant will be awarded, the sources added.
According to the sources, a Chinese company - Sino Hydropower Corporation Limited - has won the bid for setting up the Tk 5.7 billion Shikolbaha power generation project.
Following the huge power shortfall against the demand throughout the country, the interim government has also given approval for setting up two rental power plants with a combine capacity of 90MW at Shahjibazar and Kumargaon in Sylhet.
The ECNEC committee that approved some other 10 projects included the national agricultural technological project (first phase), the construction of sheds and their expansion and development in the Dhaka Railway Station (revised), the reduction of system loss of the acquired power distribution lines by the Rural Electrifications Board (REB) from the PDB, the BMR of Karnaphuli Paper Mills and the leather industry relocation (revised) project.
The ECNEC meeting Monday sent back a project -- four textile institutes - under the Jute and Textile Ministry.