Expressing satisfaction over the progress of the Rampal power plant, the Indian delegation hoped that the plant can start operations by the due date in February 2021.

“We reviewed the progress of the Rampal power plant and it is doing very well. We hope to start the plant‘s power generation very close to the due date and hope it will be in operation by February 2021,” said India’s power ministry’s secretary Subhash Chandra Garg.

Subhash Chandra Garg expressed his hope at a press briefing after the 17th meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Steering Committee on Power Sector, held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dhaka on Monday (Aug 26).

Power Division Senior Secretary Dr Ahmed Kaikaus, and Subhash Chandra Garg, secretary of Ministry of Power of India, led their respective sides during the delegation-level meeting.

The meeting was held to discuss the existing cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.

Subhash also said: “We have excellent cooperation in the transmission of electricity, 1000 MW from one side and 140 MW from the other of India. The electricity, flowing from India to Bangladesh is a major way to meet the power deficit in Bangladesh.”

He also said ‘‘we have discussed how in the future, we should expand our relationship and cooperation in both transmissions and generations.’’

He added: “The meeting was great and I think it will be great for both the countries to move forward in this cooperation.”

Ahmed Kaikaus said: “Subhash Chandra Garg has a very special  place for Bangladesh in his heart.’’

“Our friendship with India is growing day by day and one of the remarkable achievements we have done is in the power sector.”

He added ‘‘we are trying to explore mutually beneficial areas in the future, instead of exploring certain projects. We are trying to identify areas in the future through which the people of Bangladesh and India can both be rewarded.”

He also said: “We also discussed other issues as well. There is nothing disputable between Bangladesh and India. We have resolved everything.”

“Indian government is kind enough to open up windows for everyone and it is upon on us, how we can take advantage of that policy,” said Ahmed.

During the meeting the delegation discussed  India’s guideline and regulations over electricity import and export, the present situation of power imports to Bangladesh through the Tripura (India)-Bheramara (Bangladesh) interconnection, progress of Bangladesh's import of additional 340 MW electricity through the Surjomoni-Cumilla North Link under government-to-government modality, proposed Katihar-Parbatipur-Barapukuria-Boranagar 765 kilovolt grid interconnection and the construction of Bohrompur- Bheramara 400KV second transmission line.

The delegations also decided to investigate the possibilities of importing electricity from India’s other regions.

Bangladesh also urged India to waive duties, such as the certificate of deposit and value-added tax, on its power imports at the meeting.

The meeting also discussed possibilities of setting up a joint electricity power plant in India, reviewed the proposal of setting up a power transmission line aiming to import electricity from Nepal and Bhutan through India, as well as about joint investment in Bhutan’s hydropower plant.

Earlier, 17th joint meeting of Bangladesh-India joint working group was held at the same venue on Sunday (Aug 25).