Matarbari power plant makes progress

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said the 1,200MW-Matarbari ultra-supercritical coal fired power plant in Cox's Bazar district made 18 per cent physical and 13.63 per cent financial progresses so far. "In the near future, Bangladesh will be a developed and environment-friendly country," he said. "As electricity is the key component of the development of a country, this power plant will play a significant role in improving the fate of the local people." He visited the plant in Cox's Bazar on Friday. He said the government would construct land-based LNG terminal and coal terminal, which would take forward the country quickly. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing Tk 500 billion (50,000 crore) to finance Matarbari power plant project. The project includes the construction of channels and jetties, ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants and coal yards. Rural electrification, township building, laying of Chakoria-Matarbari 132 KV transmission line and the construction of a sub-station with the capacity of 132/33 KV are also under the project. Under the rehabilitation programme, an NGO named Shushilan-BBCS JV is providing cooperation for implementing the rehabilitation work. The power plant authorities is providing training to the people affected by the land acquisition on fishing, sewing, cattle and poultry raising, primary healthcare, agriculture, computer and electronics. — BSS