Nirmal Barman
Published:2018-04-11 15:51:20 BdST
ECNEC nods Tk 10,982 cr project for power transmission from Rooppur plant
FT ONLINE
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved a project involving Taka 10,982 crore to improve transmission infrastructures for evacuating power from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
The approval came from the 22nd ECNEC meeting of the current fiscal year (FY18) held at the NEC conference room in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area with ECNEC chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing the reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said a total of 16 projects were approved yesterday involving an overall estimated cost of Taka 15,683.24 crore.
"Of the total project cost, Taka 5,707.97 crore will come from the GoB portion, Taka 1,235.07 crore from the organisation's own fund while the rest of Taka 8,740.20 crore from project assistance."
Of the approved 16 projects, 15 are new projects while one is revised.
The Planning Minister said Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Limited (PGCB) under the Power Division will implement the project with an estimated cost of Taka 10,981.75 crore by December 2022.
On December 25, 2015, an agreement was signed between the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) and the Russian Rosatom worth US$12.65 billion to construct the country's first nuclear power plant in Rooppur.
Out of the two units of the plant, the first unit having capacity of 1,200 MW is expected to come into operation by October 2022 while the second unit also having 1,200 MW capacity is expected to come into operation by 2023.
Under the circumstances, the project has been considered and approved in the yesterday's ECNEC meeting to develop necessary power transmission infrastructures for evacuating power to be produced from the nuke power plant.
Of the total project cost of Taka 10,981.75 crore for the Power Transmission infrastructures project, the government will provide Taka 1,527.64 crore, the PGCB will provide Taka 1,235.07 crore while the rest of Taka 8,219.04 crore will come from the Indian third LoC.
An official at the Power Division said the project will be implemented at some 37 upazilas under 13 districts in three divisions.
The main project operations include erection of 609 kilometre 400 KV double circuit transmission line, construction of some 60 kilometer 230 KV Rooppur- Baghabari double circuit transmission line, and some 12 bay extensions.
The PGCB has already conducted a feasibility study for the project and based on the findings of that study, this project has been drafted.
The Planning Minister said once the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is built, power generation would be cost effective in the long run from that plant and there would remain no hassle and concern over the power generation as Russia would take away nuclear waste from the country.
The day's ECNEC meeting also approved another project for constructing and renovating the rail line with signaling system for the Rooppur nuclear power plant project with an estimated cost of Taka 335.97 crore.
The Ministry of Science and Technology will implement the project by June 2020.
The project will help establish overall transport management system for Rooppur Power Plant, establishing around 26.52 kilometre rail communication from Ishwardi bypass take off point to Rooppur nuclear power plant, introducing safe, fast, and goods-laden rail service for the Rooppur Plant, and thus boosting the revenue of Bangladesh railway.
The other projects approved in the meeting are Enhancing the skills of public administration for attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with Taka 410.34 crore, Establishment of Sheikh Hasina Textiles Engineering College, Shibchar, Madaripur with Taka 182.93 crore, establishment of labour welfare centres at Narayanganj port and Kalurghat in Chattagram having workers women hostels and five-bed hospitals with Taka 115.07 crore, Central broadcasting system modernization, digitization and automation of Bangladesh Television (1st phase) with Taka 82.82 crore and Rendering sustainable social services in the CHT areas with Taka 417 crore.
The approved projects also include Protecting Ulania-Gobindapur area under Mehendiganj upazila of Barisal district from the erosion of Meghna River with Taka 386.39 crore, Urban infrastructures development project with Taka 865 crore, Land acquisition for establishing sewerage system in Khulna city with Taka 96.38 crore, Upgrading district highways with due standard and width (Cumilla zone) with Taka 657.31 crore, Development of Netrakona (Thakurakona)-Kalmakanda district highway with Taka 310.06 crore, Reconstruction of 10 affected bridges and one culvert on Elenga-Bhuapur-Char Gabsara-road and regional highway development with Taka 96.76 crore, Upgrading some parts of Gouripur-Kachua-Hajiganj road to due standard with Taka 78.02 crore, BTRC building construction project with Taka 202.65 crore and Construction of Dhaka Central Jail, Keraniganj (3rd revised) with Taka 464.79 crore.
Unauthorized use or reproduction of The Finance Today content for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.