Efforts on to start Barapukuria power plant: Dr Ahmad

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RANGPUR, July 27, 2018 (BSS) – Secretary of the Power Division Dr Ahmad Kaikaus has said alternative ways are being tried to start Barapukuria Coal-fired Thermal Power Station.

“Currently, the country’s power plants have the production capacity to meet requirements of Bangladesh,” he said this today during his visit to Barapukuria power plant and coal mine under Parbotipur upazila in Dinajpur with a four-member high-powered team.

The team members were Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem, Chairman of Petrobangla Abul Mansur Md Faizullah and chairman of Power Development Board Engineer Khaled Mahmood.

The team members visited the power plant and coal mine in connection with the coal scam and closure of Barapukuria coal-fired thermal power plant due to lack of coal.

The visiting high officials held a meeting with officials in the administrative area of Barapukuria coal-fired thermal power plant before visiting nearby Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited.

Dr Ahmad said there are shortages of 100 MW to 150 MW power supply to Rangpur region comprising of eight districts where problem is being faced in maintaining voltage balance due to long distance.

“As a result, load-shedding is being given for one to one and a half hours daily to the region,” he said, adding that the extent of load shedding already reduced through increasing supply of natural gas to Sirajganj power station.

Petrobangla Chairman Abul Mansur Md Faizullah said appropriate measures would be taken against those involved with the scam.

“There is no way to look into the matters lightly for those people who are involved with the coal scam creating the hardships to the people,” Faizullah added.

Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem said that the inspection was aimed at observing the reality against what the officials were saying about coal shortage in the mine and issue of coal scam.

“The inspection was also aimed at studying the possibility of coal supply to the coal-fired thermal power station as per its demand and when production of coal from the coal mine would be possible,” he said.

Abu Hena said a case was filed in this connection with Parbotipur Thana and the Anti Corruption Commission already started investigation into the matter to bring the officials involved with the scam under the laws of the land.