The government's First Track Project Monitoring Committee, headed by the Prime Minister, had a meeting to review the implementation of the six top priority projects involving $16 billion on January 7, 2014. Padma Multipurpose bridge, deep sea port at Sonadia, metro rail in Dhaka are the communication infrastructure projects identified a year ago by the present government as Fast Track Projects. The other three energy and power related projects identified in the same category are Rooppur Nuclear Power Project at Rooppur, Pabna, Rampal Coal fired Power Project at Rampal, Bagerhat and LNG Terminal at Moheshkhali. So far, physical development of Padma Bridge and Rooppur Nuclear Power projects has been making good progress and the Fast Track Monitoring Committee expressed its satisfaction at the progress. As reported, the Metro rail project of Dhaka had made some head way forward. The government has decided to include two more projects: Matarbari (Moheshkhali, Cox's Bazar) coal fired power project and Paira (Patuakhali) sea port project in the priority list (Fast Track) to accelerate their implementation. The majority of the Fast Track projects rightly are selected from the energy and power sectors.
Matarbari Coal Fired Power project with a 1,200 MW (two units) power generation target is scheduled to be completed by 2023. This $4.5 billion project secured Japanese assistance and acquired 1,500 acres of lands for its development. On January 7, 2015, state-owned Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Ltd (CPGCBL) signed joint venture contracts with Tokyo Electric Power Services Co. Ltd and Nippon Koei Co. Ltd. of Japan and Fichtner GmbH & Co KG of Germany and SMEC International Pty. Ltd of Australia for designing and supervision works for the Matarbari Coal fired power project. The project includes, among others, the power plants, coal handling facilities, access roads, transmission lines, navigation channel and coal terminal construction works. It is expected that the Matarbari coal fired power plant project will be the first imported coal based power plant in Bangladesh with a first ever deep sea coal handling port and a 1.2 km long dedicated navigation channel to allow large ocean-going coal carrying vessels to the port. The power plant is to use the Ultra Super Critical Technology with expected fuel efficiency of 42 per cent. The Matarbari Coal Power Plant will require to have a high voltage (400 kv) power transmission line connecting Moheshkhali to Anwara (Chittagong) for power evacuation and a road connectivity between Matarbari project site and Chokoria (Cox's Bazar) within the scope of the project construction works.
The Matarbari coal-fired power plant project gained additional attention as the government is actively considering for setting up a deep sea port there instead of Sonadia island. The published reports suggest that Prime Minister's directive was given to the Ministry of Shipping for assessing the prospect of Matarbari site for establishment of the deep sea port. Matarbari is approximately 25 km off the Sonadia island in the Bay of Bengal. Planning Minister confirmed the media that the government would assess the viability of establishment of the deep sea port at Matarbari. Preference for setting up the deep sea port at Matarbari came up as the Matarbari coal-fired power plant will involve the channel development with necessary draft (approximately 14 m) and jetty facilities for allowing 'Panamax' size ocean-going vessels carrying coal there.
The 1,320 MW Rampal project is the other major imported coal based power plant project to be implemented under Indo-Bangla joint venture initiative. So far, land development works and engagement of Consultant for the project could be completed. The major impediment for carrying the project forward lies in project financing (anticipated to be $1.7 billion). Moreover, coal transportation facilities through the Sundarbans will be a major challenge to overcome.
The Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal construction at Moheshkhali for facilitating 500 mmcfd natural gas supply is considered as a major project of Petrobangla. Despite repeated attempts for last four years, the authorities concerned could not firm up the contract for the construction works and the published reports suggest that the project implementation schedule is still unknown. The LNG import is targeted for meeting the growing gaps between natural gas demands and supply in the country.
The Rooppur 2,000 MW Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) project with Russian financial and technical assistance has been steadily progressing as per stipulated time line so far. The Russian government Agency Rosatom along with its subsidiary organisations and the contractors have been engaged in the feasibility study, preparation of design documents and some auxiliary facilities within the scope of the state-to-state contract framework. Already, it has accomplished its first phase of works and now the works under the second phase have been progressing. The next phase of the works are tied to loan negotiations and signing of the general contract for the nuclear power plant building with its required facilities and commissioning. The feasibility study for Ruppoor NPP has provided a comprehensive idea about the appropriate technology, design and construction requirements for the establishment of NPP. Now, the Bangladesh and Russian governments may negotiate the concrete terms of the general contract for implementing the project. It is anticipated that the implementation of Rooppur NPP will not only help diversify the base line electric energy supply for the country but also elevate the nation's scientific base, infrastructure and management capacity to a new height.
No wonder, major energy and infrastructure projects received the government's attention as priority projects. Implementation of the eight top priority projects surely would help reshape the country's economic and infrastructure conditions. Their direct and indirect benefits will contribute significantly to GDP growth. The Fast Track project monitoring while assessing the progress of the projects within its list observed that not all the projects could progress as desired. Limitations for mobilising necessary resources impede timely implementation of the projects. The much talked about political unrest and governance issues put critical hindrances. From long term perspective, infrastructure and quality energy supply matter most for investment, industrialisation and economic development. Therefore, successful and timely implementation of the already listed priority projects will significantly help Bangladesh attain its long cherished goal to be a middle income country.
The writer, a mining engineer, writes on energy and environment issues.
mushfiq41@yahoo.com
© 2026 - All Rights with The Financial Express
