The environment and forest minister, Hasan Mahmud, on Tuesday opposed the installation of a 50MW power project near Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong,
saying that the project would harm the environment.
At a press briefing marking World Environment Day at his ministry, he said the furnace oil-fired power plant was proposed to be installed within 500-700 metre range of the lone airport in Chittagong.
Asked about the adverse impact of controversial Rampal 1.320MW imported coal-fired power plant, Hasan said the environmental concern of Baraka Patenga 50MW power plant was great than the coal-fired power plant at Rampla near Sundarban.
Barakatullah Electro Dynamics Ltd, a local power firm, is implementing the project.
On July 31, 2011, the Power Development Board signed a power purchase agreement with the firm to buy electricity for 15 years from the plant.
The company started implementing the project without receiving environmental clearance from the Department of Environment, Hasan alleged.
He wondered how the project got clearance from the civil aviation authorities though DoE had not issued any clearance certificate.
The environment minister said the DoE was yet to issue the clearance certificate as it was observing whether or not the authorities concerned were using modern technology to reduce pollution.
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, is scheduled to inaugurate the World Environment Day Programme and the National Tree Plantation Campaign today at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre of the capital.
He said from 2009- May 2013, Department of Environment realised Tk 79.65 crore in penalty from different industries for polluting environment.
The government is keen to amend the Social Forestry Rules which would ensure that the local people get 75 per cent benefit from the sold trees which is 40 per cent at present.
-With New Age input
