Power import from India as planned

Oct 5, 2011 - thedailystar.net

The import of 250 megawatt electricity from India will go ahead as planned, the government said yesterday, dispelling media reports that it could be delayed due to opposition over use of land in Paschimbanga for installing power transmission line.

The state government of Paschimbanga has reportedly opposed the use of its land to set up power line poles for supplying electricity to Bangladesh.

The Indian government however has not officially conveyed Bangladesh anything on the issue.

State Minister for Energy and Power Muhammad Enamul Huq said yesterday installation of power grid network both in Bangladesh and India is going on in line with the power import plan.

“There is no scope that it will be delayed. We hope to bring electricity from India by the end of 2012 or in early 2013,” he said at a press briefing in the city.

Power Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad refuted media reports that there is no transmission line on the India side for supply of electricity to Bangladesh. “We will get electricity as we expect,” he said.

The state minister said, “The grid line exists in most parts of India. There is no debate over the issue. There is however debate over land to be used to set up poles in Paschimbanga.”

Contacted yesterday, Power Development Board Chairman Alamgir Kabir said, “All disputes will be solved in time and everything is going ahead as per the plan. Everything will be done within the deadline. There is enough time in our hand.”

Meanwhile, despite the hype over the issue, Dhaka and New Delhi could not sign a deal on sale of electricity to Bangladesh during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka earlier this month.