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Dhaka Thursday,  Mar 28, 2024

Builds Coal Power Following All Safety Measures: Towfiq

BSS

Prime Minister’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Bir Bikram, today said the government has undertaken all necessary safety measures for constructing coal fired power plants in the country.

“Coal-based power plants would be established following all set rules and regulations and in compliance with safety measures of the Department of Environment,” he told at a press briefing at Bijoy Hall at Bidyut Bhaban in the city.

The adviser said the coal-fired power plants will have no adverse impacts on environment of the concerned areas.

He said some people are spreading misleading and baseless information against the coal based power plant in the country.

Dispelling confusion among the people about Banshkhali coal based power plant, Dr Elahi said the government would ensure usages of ultra super critical technology as well as the environment friendly technology. And as a result, he said, there are no scopes of becoming confused about the construction of the power plant.

He said the government usually selects a place for establishing coal based power plant after carrying out feasibility study, environment impact assessment and social impact assessment for 2-3 years.

Replying to a query, the adviser said the government has full support for construction of the coal-fired power plant at Banshkhali, Chittagong and the coal-fired plant will not be a threat to environment in the area.

Besides, the government has ensured necessary compensation to the affected people and would create a fund from all coal based power plants for socioeconomic development to the local people, he said.

“Taka 32 crore would be collected from each 1,320-megawatt coal fired power plant annually, which would be spent for local people’s socioeconomic development,” Dr Elahi added.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid joined the press briefing and said the government has been working to improve transmission and distribution lines for a smooth supply of power to rural people.

“We have undertaken 15 projects involving Taka 6,000 to construct transmission and distribution lines across the country and provide around five lakh power connections per month,” he said.

Nasrul, however, said the power generation reached 8,358-MW on April 9, 2016, the record highest generation in the country. The government has a target to generate 24,000-MW in 2021 and 60,000-MW in 2141,” he added.

Power Division Secretary Manowar Islam, Additional Secretary M Rakib Hossain, director general of power cell Mohammad Hossain and officials concerned were present at the briefing.

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