Rampal Power Plant - A suicide mission

The decision of setting up a 1320 Megawatt Rampal Power Plant 14 km away from the world's largest mangrove forest is running the gauntlet worldwide. A study shows that almost every developed country stands against coal-based power plants today.  The government is claiming that they will use a Super Critical Technology to prevent pollution. But if they couldn't save Buriganga, how will they deal with the Sundarbans any differently?

The contract between the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) of India and the Power Development Board of Bangladesh is vague and evasive. According to a statement by the National Committee to Protect the Sundarbans, the NTPC is willing to cover only 15 percent of the total expenditure, with the residual 85 percent funded through our own investments or loans. But the NTPC are claiming 50 percent of the profits.

We do need electricity, but not at the cost of the Sundarbans.

Rasel Rana

Jahangirnagar University