Rampal power plant can be made by saving power plant. However, Shunderban is neglected to implement of the Rampal project.
Thursday, some expertise visited Koromjal of Shunderban 1320MW Rampal power plant by the invitation of power department of power energy and mineral resource ministry. State minister Nasrul Hamid was present there. On Thursday morning state minister, expertise and other related officials were come on helicopter.
Expertise said, the plant may make a residential area which will affect this mangrove forest for long time. The Environmental review was not right what was done to build this plant. Rampal have to be done without harming the environment. They said, we want to work with the government as ally on the project. We will not oppose in such kind of development. But faults should be set. We are here by the invitation of the government. It doesn’t mean that the Rampal is going properly. There are some faults what must be reclaimed. Otherwise the plant should be closed.
But state minister opposes. He said, Rampal is going by following all rules and regulations. It will not harm Shunderban. He added, this plant is going with alls opinion. We will involve all if needs in future. We won’t do anything by harming Shunderban. We fulfil the UNESCO’s requirements on environment.
After the inspection Dr. Izaz Hosen, professor of BUET department of chemical, said, coal burning must pollute the environment. The fact is how it controlled. Main concerning issue is urbanization on that area. According to government policy, they want to develop this area. Development is the threat to Shunderban.
Mr. Hosen said, now, the air of Rampal contain 9 micro gram sulfur in each cubic meter. After the plant it will be 14 micro gram. Hens, around 20 t0 25 kilometers away from the power plant will not be affected.
Executive director of transparency international Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, I am here by the invitation of the government. It doesn’t mean I am supporting this plant. Environment department has set 59 conditions on this project. Officials inform, 50 was fulfil from those. We are inspecting whether it was fulfilled or not. Later TIB will inform formally in details.
Dr. Md. Abdul Matin, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), said, this power plant construction process should stop right now. Environment should be reviewed anew. He added, it is unfortunate that the report has been presenter there is nothing new. There is lack of information, misinformation and wrong explanation of information. This is not expected.
Mr. Matin said, government wants this project 4km away from Bafar area. But Bafar area also included as forest. However, the EIA report is not right. Without clearing the report government are going with Rampal which is wrong. In all, the Shunderban is being neglected.
Fromer director of Pelro Bangla Moqbul-i-Elahi said, the main factor of Rampal is ‘environment pollution’. If pollution can be controlled then we have nothing to say.
During the visit, among others, Mayer of Khulna division Talukdar Abdul khalek; additional secretary of power division Dr. Ahmed Kaykaus; managing director of Bangladesh-India friendship Power Company U K Bhattacharya; Chairman of PDB K M Hasan and government high officials of Mongla and Bagerhat were present.
Besides state minister inaugurate water purification plant and gives tk2000 to the meritorious students as prize.