Matarbari Power Plant a ‘luxury project’: Energy adviser
He suggests the interim govt focus on smaller, community-based projects
Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir yesterday criticised the Matarbari 1200 MW Power Plant built at a cost of Tk57,000 crore in Cox's Bazar's Maheshkhali, calling it a "luxury project" at a press conference at the Cox's Bazar Hill Town Circuit House.
He said the plant has not significantly benefited the common people, pointing out that the original project plans included connections to deep-sea ports, industries, railways, and roads, which were not realised.
He also suggested that the interim government should focus on smaller, more community-oriented projects and avoid large-scale ventures like the Matarbari plant.
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Regarding the plant's current coal reserves, which are sufficient for only 30 days, Kabir assured that the issue would be addressed promptly.
Senior government officials, including Senior Secretary of the Power Division Md Habibur Rahman, Energy and Mineral Resources Division Secretary Md Nurul Alam, and Shipping Ministry Additional Secretary Sanjay Kumar Banik, were present at the press conference.
On 13 September, Kabir visited the Matarbari Coal Power Plant and inspected various development projects in the region, including the under-construction deep-sea port and STM projects.
