HC clears way for Rampal plant

The High Court on Sunday cleared the way for constructing the controversial Rampal Power Plant in Bagerhat amid growing concern that the plant will bring disastrous impact on the Sundarbans, world's largest mangrove forest.
The court cleared the way summarily rejecting a writ petition seeking its directives on the government to stop the construction move of the coal-fired power plant until an assessment on the environmental impact of the project.
The clearance of the court came a day after the foundation plaque of the power plant was unveiled.
Four Supreme Court lawyers on September 29 filed the appeal with the HC seeking stay on the project till assessment on the environmental impact of Rampal power plant through forming a committee comprising local and international experts.
The High Court bench of Justice M Moazzam Husain and Justice Md Badruzzman passed the order on Sunday after holding hearing on the petition.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh jointly unveiled the foundation plaque of the power plant disregarding environmentalists' fear of a disastrous impact on the Sundarbans.
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The project drew flak from environmentalists and eminent citizens, who believe it will jeopardise the Sundarbans as the project site is located just 14 kilometers off the forest.
The project is the outcome of an April 20 deal between Bangladesh and India to set up the 1,320MW coal-fired power plant.
To oppose and demand scrapping of the project, hundreds of people marched from Dhaka to the Rampal project site in last week of September.
The demonstration seems to have failed to move the authorities as the foundation plaque had already been unveiled and the HC also cleared the way for its construction.
Earlier on Thursday, a Judge of a HC bench felt embarrassed to hear the petition.
The bench also sent the petition to the chief justice.
The Chief Justice Md Mozammel Hossain then referred the petition to the bench head by justice M Muazzam Husain.
Petitioners' lawyer Advocate Manzill Murshid said his clients will move an appeal before appellate division challenging the High Court rejection order.