Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addresses a rally on Khanjahan Ali Degree College ground in Bagerhat Wednesday afternoon. Photo: PMO

Assuring again that there will be no harm to the Sundarbans with the construction of 1320 MW coal-based power plant in Rampal, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked the “vested quarters not to cause any obstruction to the project by creating confusion” among the people.

She said, “There are some people who never see the benefit of any work; they're conducting propaganda that the Sundarbans will be destroyed with the implementation of the Rampal project."

“But, Sundarbans will not be destroyed as it is huge, and the Awami League government won’t do anything that will cause harm to it,” Hasina added, addressing a mammoth public rally organised by local Awami League at Srifaltala High School ground in Bagerhat.

Mentioning that seven more coal-fired power plants will be set up in the country, she said: “I’ll ask the vested group not to create confusion and put obstructions. People of this area are suffering a lot and we’ll have to remove their sufferings. Our aim is to work for the people.”

In a scathing attack on the opposition BNP-Jamaat, the Awami League president alleged that they had familiarised Bangladesh in the global arena as a country of militants during their tenure. “They (BNP-Jamaat) only know how to grab everything, but not to give anything to people,” she said.

Highlighting various successes, development activities and achievements of the present government, Hasina sought votes for ‘Boat’, the election symbol of Awami League, to reelect her party in the next general election and thus give another chance to serve the nation.

Chaired by acting president of Rampal upazila Awami League Sheikh Abdul Ohab, the rally was also addressed by former Khulna City Corporation mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleq.

The prime minister said that with the implementation of the 1320 MW coal-fired power plant with support from India, more industries and factories will be set up in the region, thus creating more employment opportunities.

She mentioned that a 500-MW coal-based power plant is already in operation in Dinajpur where thousands of people are living in the surrounding areas and it caused no harm to them. Another 270-MW coal-fired power plant will be set up in Dinajpur to further increase the power generation, she said.

Earlier, at Bheramara in Kushtia on October 5, the prime pinister and her Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh unveiled the foundation plaque for the Rampal power plant.

Meanwhile, prior to addressing the rally from the Srifaltala High School ground at Rampal, the premier inaugurated a 200-seat female hostel of Sundarban Women Degree College, Muktijoddha Monument in Rampal upazila and Khulna 150 MW power plant.

She also laid the foundation stones of academic building of Rampal Degree College, Millickerber government primary school cum cyclone centre in Rampal upazila, Digraj registered government primary school cum cyclone centre in Mongla upazila, Rampal Upazila Muktijoddha Complex, 93-meter PSC girder bridge at Shelabunia Baidyamari Bazar in Mongla pourasava, extended building of Rampal Upazila Parishad, embankment rehabilitation work including permanent protection work at 35/3 polder at Bagerhat sadar and Rampal upazila, integrated water management project in Bagerhat, upgradation of Khulna 150 MW peaking power plant to 225 MW combined cycle power plant.