The BNP-led alliance’s action programmes have hit the power sector hard by delaying construction of power plant, sub-station and transmission and distribution lines.
Insiders said the unrest has slowed down implementation of projects earmarked for completion in FY2014-15, adding that hindering much-needed upgrades would have adverse consequences for economic growth.
On Sunday, State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid expressed dissatisfaction with the slow implementation of projects to deal with the power crisis, at an annual development programme review meeting with power officials.
A Power Division official, asking not to be named, said Power Division works had slowed down due to the unrest.
He said the setting up of power plants, transmission and distribution lines and sub-stations were behind schedule.
Project implementation rate stands at 44% against a target of 60%, he said.
Moreover, financial progress on project implementation stands at 33 percent against a target of 53 percent for the current fiscal year.
He said there were an enormous number of large power plant projects facing delays because of the transport blockade and hartals.
The BNP-led 20-party alliance has been sponsoring a transport blockade and strikes to press for fresh polls under an interim regime.
The Power Division official, asking not to be named, said a Japanese delegation that was supposed to visit the Matarbari Power Plant in Cox’s Bazar postponed their scheduled trip to Bangladesh in view of the situation on the ground.
He said foreign engineers and workers at different power plant projects in Bangladesh had expressed concern over their security.
“We have instructed officials to ensure the security of workers of under-construction public and private power plant projects,” Power Division Secretary Monowar Islam said.
The construction work of 35 public and private power plants, representing a power generation capacity of 7298MW, is currently in progress.
“We are unable to get spare parts and heavy parts from the port to the power plant sites. If the materials cannot be taken to the sites, the projects will be delayed,” Power Development Board Chairman Shahinul Islam Khan said.
“We are working on the 360MW Bheramara Power Plant when we get the chance but the work is moving slowly. We work on Fridays and Saturdays. There is a sense of fear among the workers,” State-owned Northwest Power Generation Company Ltd Managing Director AM Khurshedul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune.
“We are working on four projects but are worried that material supplies will fall behind schedule. The plants are supposed to come into operation between June 2015 and 2016,” Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited Managing Director Md Nurul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune.
“At present, the REB is running 15 distribution projects, including 1.8 million consumer connections via a rural electrification expansion effort estimated to run between 2015 and 2018,” Rural Electrification Board Chairman Brigadier General Moin Uddin told the Dhaka Tribune.
“If the projects are not completed on time, many people in the rural areas will suffer,” he said.
“Ten electricity transmission projects are being carried out but we are worried about whether we can stay on schedule if the unrest continues,” Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Managing Director Masum-Al-Beruni said.
“Construction work has been hampered by the blockade. We have sought security from the Power Development Board for the unloading of our imported equipment from the port,” Summit Bibiyana II Power Company Limited Chief Executive Officer S M Noor Uddin told the Dhaka Tribune.
“Due to delays arising from the political unrest, it will be impossible to start operating the Bibiyana II plant in March 2015,” he said.
