Matarbari-Madunaghat Project to Be Completed Ahead of Time

To meet the growing demand for power of the country, construction work of 1200MW Matarbari a coal-fired power line is underway in Maheshkhali Upazila of Cox's Bazar district. The 92-km long double-circuit power transmission line project, with a capacity of 400 kV, is being implemented as a Matarbari-Madunaghat project.

For the transmission line higher technology will be used, so that 2 thousand 5 hundred MW of electricity can be transmitted in the future. To maintain the power distribution, 3 towers are being installed in Pekua, Maheshkhali and Chakaria Upazilas of Cox's Bazar district and Anwara, Banskhali, Boalkhali, Patiya and Raozan Upazilas of Chittagong. Its construction cost has been estimated at Tk  7.95 billion (795 crores).

The power grid company of Bangladesh (PGCB) and the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) are jointly financing the project. If the construction of the power transmission line is implemented, the system will reduce the loss on the national grid.

According to the sources, the agreement of the Matarbari-Madunaghat 400 kilo-volt electricity transmission line was signed on February 8, 2019. Under the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) Limited, the contractor company KEC International is implementing the project. The project is being implemented in an advanced construction process under the supervision of Japanese advisory firm Nippon Quay. The advisory firm is also serving as an advisor to the country's largest metro. Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Elias Hossain has signatured a letter sent to the union council chairman, UP members, and other public representatives to assist in the transmission line operation.  

According to the project data, the Matarabari UltraSuper Critical Coal Fire Power Project-2 named project will install three transformers with a capacity of 500 to 700 MVin the Hitachi Corporation of Japan at the grid sub-station at Matarbari, Pekua, Banshkhali, Anwara, Shikalbaha, Madunaghat.

In addition, 400 kV powered 6 bays, 2 bus couplers, 2 sections, and 2 bus bt will be installed. The same number of parts will be in the 230 numbered kilo volt section as well. The sub-station is being constructed under the project"Dhaka-Chittagong Main Power Strengthening Project" adopted by the PGCB. 

Project Manager at KEC International said, “There are many challenges in building such a line. Due to disaster-hit roads and salt fields of coastal areas, it becomes impossible to work at certain times of the year. Even so, as we have our organization's experience, sufficient manpower, a huge amount of mechanical infrastructure, the project is moving ahead with a plan to finish the project six months in advance, ie in February next year. "

Project engineer Nanda Dulal said, “The construction of the power transmission line is proceeding with proper management and close monitoring. Besides, our organization has prior experience and reputation for this kind of work, and we are moving forward with this strength. ”

The concerned thinks that the power sector will progress one step ahead if the transmission line is completed.