Dhaka, Delhi review power sector co-op today

Dhaka and New Delhi will sit today to review the current status of cooperation in the power sector and further intensify efforts to expand such cooperation.

A high-level delegation led by the power secretary, PK Sinha, arrived in Dhaka to attend the 9th meeting of the Indo-Bangla joint steering committee on power sector cooperation. Sinha's counterpart in Bangladesh is Monowar Islam, says a press release.

The meeting will be preceded by that of the joint working group. 

The discussions are expected to be on importing more power from India, power generation through bilateral, tri-national and sub-regional or regional initiatives and a power transmission line through Bangladesh, said official sources.

Dhaka has agreed allowing a 6,000-megawatt line. Part of the quantum could be used by Bangladesh.

A committee has been formed to look into the feasibility of placing the line from Rangia Raota in Assam to Borakpur in Bihar through Boropukuria in Dinajpur, officials said.

Formed in 2010, the steering committee's first meeting was held on January 12 the same year in New Delhi and it was due to sit twice a year in Dhaka and New Delhi alternatively. The 8th meeting was held in New Delhi on October 10, 2014.