Light of Hope: Power Plant at Khunla by Indian company BHEL

One can understand by this data that how much power is important for Bangladesh. As per media report, the 2/5 population of 16 cores total don’t get the facility of power.

It is major break through by an Indian company to produce power in the land of Bangladesh. Indian Public sector company BHEL is going to pen a treaty for producing power in nearing country.

At Khulna in Bangladesh the Indian company will kick of the project just after the agreement exchange date, 28 Feb,2016. After the visit of Indian PM to Bangladesh many new avenue opened in bilateral relation.

Land boundary agreement, Power transition, Nepal-India rail ways via Bangladesh, BBIN etc. are a very balanced agreement for both the country. Numbers of companies of various countries participated in the tender process. Finally with close competition with Harbin Electrical of China the Indian company BHEL got the order.

Power is most essential element for the countries toward high speed development. BHEL will execute 2 power plant of 660 MW each casting 160 corers Pound. This power plant can change the economic and social position of Khulna.

Already Khulna is an important part of Bangladesh’s industry. Numbers of companies are operating at same place. The demand of power is much over there. It will not only fulfill the demand but it will also create more industrialization on at Khulna district. Due to this project more employment will come up at the district.

There is much opportunity of industry served by Port Mongla. Port Mongla is strategically very important for India. China is already started penetrating focus to the Port Mongla.

But some of local and international organizations are protesting against the power plant due to environmental issues. But government of Bangladesh already assured that they have take steps to control the environmental problems.

In practical analysis, it is clear that this power plant will set a very positive impact on Khulna as well as Bangladesh’s economy and with all aspect it is an appreciated event of bilateral relationship of India and Bangladesh.        

A.C

India – Bangladesh-Nepal rail transit

It is a symphony of Himalaya and Bay of Bengal. India and Nepal have signed the long-stalled letters of exchange (LoEs).  India has  has agreed to provide transit facilities for Nepal through the Visakhapatnam port along with the signing of LoE called ‘Operationalisation of Visakhapatnam Port’. Henceforth, Nepal will be able to use Visakhapatnam Port as another gateway for third-country trade like the Kolkata Port.

In other hand Transit between Nepal and Bangladesh through Kakarbitta-Banglabandha is al so very important for Bangladesh. It will increase the the business opportunity for Bangladesh also.

The distance between Kakarvitta Land Customs Station (LCS) in Nepal and Banglabandha LCS of Bangladesh is around 54 km. The Siliguri Corridor of India is situated in between the two LCSs.

The Kakarvitta point has Panitanki LCS on the Indian side, while it is Phulbari on the Indian side of the Banglabandha LCS.

The railway transit will help connect Birgunj and Biratnagar (Jogbani) in Nepal with Bangladesh via the Singhabad-Rohanpur interchange point, which is the nearest and most economical route.

Operationalisation of Vishakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh and for rail transport to and from Vishakhapatnam would also help Nepal boost its trade with third countries.

The rail distance between Birgunj and Dhaka is over 950 km, while from Biratnagar it is 535 km. The distance between Birgunj and Chittagong, a major port in Bangladesh, is 1,148 km, while from Biratnagar it is 843 km.
The rail distance between Birgunj to Kolkata is 700 km, while to Haldia in West Bengal it is over 800 km. Likewise, the rail distance from Biratnagar to Kolkata is 600 km and to Haldia it is 708 km.

‘Rail Transit Facility Through Singabad for Nepal’s Trade With and Through Bangladesh’ is not oly hel Nepal ,it will help Bangladesh too. Thins opportunity emerged when Indian PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina singed treaty to give the land to use for business purpose to the third country.

LoE on ‘Rail Transit Facility Through Singabad for Nepal’s Trade With and Through Bangladesh’ will help operationalise rail transit facility through Singabad in India for Nepal’s trade with and through Bangladesh.

in transit to and from Nepal and Bangladesh shall move through Indian territory by rail using Singabad Railway Station (Malda,West Bengal, India) and Rohanpur Railway Station in Bangladesh.

It is hoped that that the area of Singbad, (Malda,West Bengal, India) will get a boost both economically and socially. There is an opportunity of Singbad to emerge as a different kind of economic hub.

Construction of the Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at the border points is highly need in near future. Indian PM Narendra Modi also stated the significance of ICP.


But security is an important point for the three nations. All there nation hopefully already thought some strong plan regarding that. But in all aspect it is clear that this transit will open a new era for Indo-Bangla- Napel relation.

Arindam Chatterjee

Waterways is the way to next level economic relation

Ports connectivity with Bangladesh could be the crucial for bilateral relationship of both countries. India and Bangladesh should work on that with best attention. Waterways could be the next game changer between the two nations.

On June 6, 2015 during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka, India and Bangladesh inked the agreement on Coastal Shipping for two-way trade through ports. But it was not a new treaty that inked first time between the nations.

It we look1972 Protocol on Inland Waterways Transit and Trade (PIWTT)  then we will find that , the effort started years before that. The new agreement is actually a renewal of the 972 Protocol on Inland Waterways Transit and Trade.

Waterways for commerce are a significant move for the region. Both the countries will get numbers of benefit from that. When co-relation is the only success trick or international business than the implementation of the waterways agreement is beneficial for both the countries.

In Bangladesh side Chittagong and Mongla ports and Kolkata and Haldia in side of India will serve unique commercial benefit for the business. Most impotently, we should remember the four ports are exclusively located river Ganga. 

Indian business will get an easier way to reach Tripura, Assam and Meghaloya. In other hand Bangladesnh will also get transit through India into Nepal and Bhutan. And this could open new avenues for Bangladeshi business houses. In this regard construction Feni bridge is very important step. This will connect a great roadways facility to Chitagang port. Agartala-Akhaura railway link is another important step ahead.

This also will add the edge of connectivity between SAARC countries. Both the countries welcome the effort about waterways. Business fraternities of two nations are expecting the execution of the agreement sooner than later. 

Arindam Chatterjee