Rampal plant won’t harm Sundarbans: Environment minister tells JS

Environment and Forest Minister Anwar Hossain Manju today told Parliament that the proposed Rampal coal-fired power plant would not cause any harm to the Sundarbans.

“There is no scientific basis that Rampal power plant will harm the Sundarbans massively which the media is portraying,” he said replying to an un-starred question from Awami League MP Pinu Khan (Women Seat-23).

As ultra super critical technology will be used in constructing the 1320-megawatt power plant, it will not affect the Sundarbans, the minister said.

Besides, it has been ensured that there will be no negative impact on the Sundarbans during the construction and operation phases of the power plant, he said.

Anwar said highest importance has been given in preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report as the project site is near the bio-diversified Sundarbans region.

The quality of the air to be emitted from the proposed power plant will be within the permissible level of the World Bank’s guidelines and the Environment Conservation Rules, 1997.

No untreated and heated water will be released into the river water, rather the water will be refined by effluent treatment plant (ETP) and reused in the plant, he said.

High-quality bituminous coal with less than 0.6 percent Sulphur will be used in the proposed power plant and the coal will be imported from Indonesia or Australia, he said.

Electro Static Precipitator (ESP), Low NOx Burner, Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) and 275-metre high Chimney will be used in the power plant as part of mitigation measures to prevent air pollution, Manju said.

Besides, Settling Pond, Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), Desalination Plant, API Oil Water Separator, Water Recycling and Reuse measures will be kept as part of mitigation measures to control water pollution, he said.

 Appropriate measures will be taken for full utilisation of fly and bottom ash of the coal-fired power plant, the minister said.

Coal Dust Suppression System, Closed Conveyor Belt, Covered Cargo or ship will be used to control pollution from coal of the plant, he added.

A monitoring team comprising of all concerned departments has been formed to watch pollution control activities around the clock, he said adding that the project activities have continuously been monitored after the Department of Environment approved EIA report to the project.

If the mitigation measures mentioned in the EIA report are implemented properly, there is no possibility that the Sundarbans will be harmed, Manju said.

 He, however, said expert suggestions can be taken through comprehensive researches.