Matarbari Power Project and Paira Port Project are included in 'Fast-Track Project'

The Materbari Ultrasuper Critical Coal-fired Power Project in Cox's Bazar and Paira Port Project in Patuakhali were made "fast track" in addition to six others.

The Fast-Track Project Monitoring Committee included the two new projects in its third meeting held at Prime Minister's Office with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Briefing reporters, PM's Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chaudhuri said the meeting discussed the progress of previous six projects and the Materbari Power Project.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister directed all concerned to complete the projects within the stipulated time by performing their respective responsibilities properly.

The meeting was informed that the construction work of the much-awaited Padma Bridge would be completed on December 7, 2018.

It was also informed that the construction work of approach roads for the Padma Bridge on Janzira and Mawa sides, service area- 2, river training work, river bank protection work of the Janzira construction yard, land acquisition and handing over of plots of the affected people in the rehabilitated area are going on.

Besides, the work on Geotechnical Investigation of the main bridge has started at two points, while the work of survey and "setting out" is underway.

The meeting was told that 30 percent work of the approach road at Janzira side, 20 percent work of approach road at Mawa side, 15 percent work of service area-2, 1.5 percent work of the main bridge, 99 percent work of land acquisition and 65 percent work of rehabilitation programme have been completed. Besides, supervision work of the main bridge and river training is underway.

About the progress of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the meeting was informed that three programmes out of five have already been done under the first agreement signed between Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and Russian Federation. Under the second agreement, 50 percent activities have been finished while the work of the third agreement has begun.

The draft of a separate law for formation of a company through appointing consulting firm by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission has been prepared which will be placed before the cabinet soon.

The fourth agreement between the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and Russian Federation will be inked soon, the PM's Press Secretary said adding the work of the project would be completed on time.

While reviewing the progress of the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Project, the meeting was apprised that necessary land was acquired for construction of a depot for MRT Line-6. The work on geotechnical survey of the project began on June 11, 2014. Besides, the work of the basic design ended last month while the work of the detailed design would be finished in July this year.

About the construction of a deep seaport at Sonadia in Cox's Bazar, the meeting was informed that a techno-economic study has been completed by Pacific Consultants International of Japan to build the seaport.

Though the project was supposed to be implemented on PPP basis primarily, a decision to implement the project on government-to-government basis has been taken as no investor expressed their interest to this effect.

To this end, three countries submitted their presentation and another one expressed their interest to give presentation. Later, a ten-member committee headed by principal secretary has been formed to examine the proposals received so far. Besides, a draft law on the Sonadia deep seaport will be formulated.

Regarding the Moitree Super Thermal Power Project at Rampal, the meeting said the work on filling earth in the project site and boundary wall is underway, while fencing work of the main power plant has been completed.

The work on geotechnical survey has been finished. Appointing financial adviser, HR consultant and preparing tender document for power line are under process. The DPP for capital dredging in the Pashur River has been submitted to the shipping ministry.

While incorporating the US$ 4.6 billion Materbari Coal-fired Power Plant at Maheshkhali in Cox's Bazar, the meeting was informed that two 600 MW ultra super critical coal-fired power plants would be built through this project.

For this, channel and jetty, link road, village electrification and township development will be done and skilled manpower will be created.

The work of acquisition of 1500 acres of land has been completed for the project, while the work on setting up fencing across the acquired land is under way. Appointing the consultant for the project is at the final stage.

The capacity of the power plant would be raised to 10,000 MW gradually, the press secretary said, adding the Dohazari-Cox's Bazar- Gundum rail line would be expanded to Matarberi from the Pekua point.

Environment and Forest Minister Anwar Hossain Manju, Planning Minister AHM Mostafa Kamal, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Dilu, PM's Energy Advisor Dr Toufiq-E-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid Bipu and State Minister for Science and Technology architect Yeafesh Osman and secretaries concerned were present.