The 21st meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) and Joint Steering Committee (JSC) on India-Bangladesh Cooperation in the Power Sector was held at Khulna, Bangladesh on the 3rd and 4th May 2023 respectively.

Delegations from both India and Bangladesh sides led by Hon’ble Shri Alok Kumar, Secretary (Power) Government of India, and Hon’ble Md Habibur Rahman, Secretary Power Division MoPEMR, Government of Bangladesh respectively visited Maitree STPP Site on 4th May 2023. Shri Ghanshyam Prasad Chairperson CEA GoI, Shri Gurdeep Singh CMD NTPC & Chairman BIFPCL, Shri K Sreekant CMD (Power Grid), Mr. Mohammad Afzal JS (MoP GoI), Dr. Syed Masum Ahmed Choudhary Addl Secretary Power Division GoB, Md Mahburbur Rahman, Chairman BPDB, Ms Munira Sultana Chairman SREDA, Mr. Mohammad Hossain DG Power Cell BPDB, Md Yeakub Elahi Choudhary MD PGCB, Ms. Devika Lal DS MEA GoI, Shri Prateek Negi First Officer HCI Dhaka, were among the other dignitaries. Md. Akram Ullah, MD (BIFPCL) and Shri Atanu Dutta, Project Director (BIFPCL) welcomed all delegates and dignitaries at Maitree Project.

Shri Gurdeep Singh CMD NTPC and Chairman BIFPCL arrived at the site before JSG and JWG members and reviewed the progress of Unit-2 Synchronization. BIFPCL officials, BHEL Director (Power) along with other officials of BHEL, and Owner’s Engineer Fichtner were present. He advised all stakeholders to work as a team to achieve the project target. He also interacted with young BIFPCL executives from Bangladesh and motivated them to take up their job with a learning spirit. He advised them to engage in professional studies and publish journals, which will make them more informed and confident. This will benefit the company and their personal growth as well.

JSC and JWG delegates visited the Power Plant, Jetty, and Township. Hon’ble Secretaries of both countries complimented BIFPCL for the efforts and initiatives to bring the project towards its completion stage. They praised BIFPCL for setting up JC Bose Training Centre with a 660 MW Simulator, which is the first of its kind in Bangladesh, and has FGD module integrated into the system. The delegation assured that all help shall be extended by the Governments of both the countries for resolution of issues faced by this project as it is a prestigious project of two great nations. The visit concluded on a happy note with a tree plantation at JC Bose Training Center.