Joint power project

Two 1320MW coal fired power plants are to be set up in Chittagong and Khulna. That is indeed good news for the power starved people of Bangladesh.

Now that the agreement has been inked, there are hopefully no chances of it being negated by succeeding next elected government; even if it is not

AL. BNP has the tendency of cancelling whatever is in the pipeline proposed by AL; if they cannot get a slice of the pie; thanks to their all-powerful "Hawa Bhaban" pie eaters! However, the government should arrange the finance on top priority basis, and establish the Letter of

Credit before their term is over; otherwise anything may again happen! What is the tentative time schedule for the first unit; be it in Chittagong or Khulna. What about the arrangements for transmission line and switchgear to put the power on the grid? Is it also included in the order, or has this to be arranged separately? All these issues need to be sorted on top priority so the project progresses smoothly. Can we expect that at least the first power plant will be commissioned by 2016?

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Karnaphuli Bridge to usher in trade, investment prospects

CHITTAGONG, Sept 6 (BSS): The newly-built Shah Amanat Bridge over the river Karnaphuli would usher in prospects in trade and industrialisation of the economically potential southern part of greater Chittagong linking the region with the country's main land.

The bridge, long-felt demand of nearly 7.5 million (75 lakh) people of adjacent three districts is no more a mere dream as it is scheduled to open to traffic ceremonially by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday just a couple of days ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr.

Opening of the bridge to traffic will permanently link southern Chittagong with the country's main part, ease sufferings of the commuters of both sides of the river Karnaphuli.

The local people said the bridge would create opportunities for easy transportation of exportable goods including shrimps, dry fish, salt and vegetables from the region to other parts of the country.

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