Development projects must not harm environment: PM

GBNEWS24DESK//

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday stressed the importance of keeping the environment in mind while taking any development project.

“We must focus on the environment while taking any project; we always should take protective measures before taking any step,” she said.

The Prime Minister said this while speaking at a programme to inaugurate five power plants with a total electricity generation capacity of 779 MW.

Hasina inaugurated the power plants through a videoconference from her official residence Ganobhaban as the programme was held at the Bijoy Hall of Bidyut Bhaban.

The five power plants are the Bibiyana-III 400MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Habiganj, Zulda, Chittagong 100MW Power Plant Unit-2, Meghnaghat 104MW Power Plant in Narayanganj, Modhumoti 100MW Power Plant in Bagerhat and upgradation of Sylhet 150MW Power Plant to 225MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Sylhet.

The PM renewed her call to people to maintain austerity while using electricity as the government provides power at a huge subsidised price. “The production cost of electricity is much higher. To provide services to subscribers, we’re giving huge subsidies. The billing price is much lower than the production cost.”

Requesting all to be careful about unnecessary usage of electricity, Hasina said, “If you don’t have any need, please turn the electricity switches off.”

She said how much the government could provide subsidies if people do not maintain austerity. “That should be taken care of (by consumers).”

Talking about the huge production of power in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said the transmission lines have to be set up alongside increasing the production to meet the demand. “So, we’re constructing the transmission lines as well.”

Hasina said the main aim of the government is to extensively provide electricity to rural areas so that the scope of employment generation increases.