Bangladesh oil-gas body opposes Rampal coal power plant

Devastating impact particularly on Sundarbans.

It is feared that that the proposed coal-fired Rampal power plant project would destroy the mangrove forest and also ruin the agricultural land in the region if implemented.

Bangladesh's National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports has demanded that the government cancel the project.

This was expressed during a discussion on the probable impact of the Rampal power plant at Mukti Bhaban at the central office of the Communist Party of Bangladesh.

Anu Muhammad, member secretary of the committee, said the agreement Bangladesh Power Development Board had signed with National Thermal Power Company, a state-owned Indian enterprise, for the power plant is not transparent regarding the conditions laid out in it.

The committee convener, Sheikh Muhammad Shaheedullah, speaking as the chair said the conditions laid out in the agreement showed that the benefit from the project, if any at all, will go solely to the Indian company.

Sushanta Das, a leader of Rampal Krishi Jami Rakkha Committee, accused the government of launching land acquisition activity for the project applying force.

Sushanta also alleged that Khulna city mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque and his associates were interested in implementing the project as it would bring them personal benefit.

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