Rampal power plant wouldn't harm Sundarbans: State Minister Nasrul Hamid

"Modern ultra-Super Thermal Technology would be used in the Rampal plant and no environment depleting substance would be discharged from plants. Moreover a 275 feet long chimney would be used for emitting smoke from plant. The measures would protect the Sundarbans", He said, while addressing a press briefing at Mukti Hall of Bidyut Bhaban in the city.

The state minister said that the power plant to be set up at Rampal Upazila of Bagerhat District which is away from Sundarbans. Covered carriers would be used to carry coal to the plant, the minister said adding, "No polluted or hot water will be discharged to the river. So water or air will not be polluted."

Hamid said the plant is located in a safe area from the Sundarbans. The distance of the plant 69 kilometer from the area marked as UNESCO World Heritage area and 14-Km away from the outer boundary of the Sundarbans.

As a result, there is no scope to become confused about the location of the power plant and the Sundarbans.

Referring to statistics on using coal in generating power at different countries, he said that many countries of the world have been giving thrust on using coal as an alternative source of fuel to generate electricity.

In the USA 40 per cent of electricity generated from coal while in Germany it is 41 per cent, in Japan it is 27 per cent, in India it is 68 per cent, in South Africa the percentage is 93, in Australia it is 78 per cent, 33 per cent in Malaysia and 79 per cent in China. On the other hand, Bangladesh produces only 2.26 per cent electricity from coal. Hamid said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was awarded with "Champions of the Earth Award" because of her extraordinary steps taken for the protection of environment.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government is very much committed to ensuring bio-diversity and ecological balance of the mangrove forest. Because of her visionary leadership in 2014, "Dhaka Declaration" was accepted to protect tigers of the Sundarbans and other countries.

Making a presentation on the project, Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt.) Limited (BIFPCL) Managing Director Uzzal Kanti Bhattacharya said that the power plant would be established by following all rules, regulations and standards of international organization as well as the Department of Environment of Bangladesh.

He said that Rampal power plant would be a modern technology based and it would be run by super critical technology and imported standard coal, adding, "We will use more advanced and modern Technology in the plant." Bhattacharya also represented vice and their lifestyle of the local people, where they mentioned that they will be benefitted for constructing the 1,320 MW power plant in the area.

Among other, Director General of Power Cell under Power Division Mohammad Hossain, environment expert Dr Ansarul Karim and ex-director general of environment department spoke in the briefing.