PM eyes 11000MW by 2015

 | Bangladesh | bdnews24.com

Chittagong, Sep 8 (bdnews24.com)—Another 1600MW power will be added to the national grid by the end of this year and total generation will be raised to 11,000MW by 2015, prime minister Sheikh Hasina has said.

Hasina was addressing a rally at Shikolbaha, Chittagong on Wednesday, after inaugurating a 150MW peaking power plant. This declaration came amid a severe power crisis across the country. At present, average production is only 4000MW against a demand of about 5500MW, according to the Power Development Board.

Addressing the rally at the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) ground, the prime minister said her government is working on a plan to add a total of another 9,426MW to the national grid by 2015. Hasina also vowed to set up a 2,000MW coal-based plant soon in the port city.

The prime minister also inaugurated the much-awaited third Karnaphuli Bridge, connecting Chittagong metropolitan city with the southern parts of the division.

"We are working to ensure economic liberation of the people," Hasina said and declared to make the country self-dependent by 2021.

"I also want to work for you, please keep faith in the government. We are working to ease the sufferings in the people's lives."

The prime minister promised developments for Chittagong and revealed that an initiative had been taken to regularise capital dredging in a bid to keep the Chittagong port working.

Also, she pledged expansion of road from Chittagong's Dohazari to China's Kung Ming province via Cox's Bazar's Ghumdhum, construction of a stadium in south Chittagong and embankments at Anowara and Bashkhali coasts, increase of Bangladesh Television's programmes for Chittagong station to 12 hours, and establishment of a deep sea port at Shonadia.

Before the rally, Hasina landed at Shikolbaha on a helicopter at 11.25am and inaugurated the 150MW peaking power plant at 12pm. Energy advisor Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Enamul Haque and other senior officials of the power division accompanied her.

At the end of the rally, the prime minister opened the third Karnaphuli Bridge around 1.45pm. Communications minister Syed Abul Hossain, and top officials of the Roads and Highways Department and other senior officials were present.