Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday opened Bheramara 410-MW Combined Cycle Power Plant and cent per cent electrification in 15 upazilas renewing her call to the people to be economical in using electricity.
The premier inaugurated the power plant and cent per cent electrification in 15 upazilas through a videoconferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka on Thursday morning.
From the same function, she opened innovative online training platform "Kusholi".
The Bheramara combined cycle duel fuel power plant was constructed at a cost of Tk 37.85 billion. Of the amount, the government provided Tk 6.35 billion while the rest came as project assistance.
The North-West Power Generation Company Ltd, an organisation of the Power Development Board, implemented the project at Bahirchar in Bheramara upazila of Kushtia.
The 15 upazilas brought under 100 per cent electrification are Dhamrai of Dhaka, Nikoli of Kishoreganj, Rauzan of Chattogram, Pirganj of Rangpur, Khoksha of Kushtia, Debhata of Satkhira, Rupsha, Fultala and Dighalia of Khulna, Bagatipara of Natore, Bera of Pabna, Bianibazar of Sylhet, Dinajpur Sadar and Birampur of Dinajpur.
With these upazilas, cent per cent electrification facilities were inaugurated in 51 upazilas of the country.
"Kusholi" is a web-based learning management system or software used to plan, implement and assess a specific learning process.
It will support Bangladesh's expanding electricity needs over the next three decades, while anyone can join the training from anywhere in Bangladesh.
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.
Power Division Secretary Dr Ahmed Kaikaus made a power point presentation on the past, present and future of the electricity in Bangladesh, while PM's Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman moderated the function.
Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid Bipu were present, reports BSS.
Besides, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Tazul Islam, Jatiya Sangsad Whip Atiur Rahman Atiq, the Japanese Charge d'Affaires in Dhaka, parliament members and senior officials of the Prime Minister's Office were present at the function, among others.
Later, the prime minister exchanged views with the cross section of people including government officials, public representatives, teachers, guardians, students, freedom fighters and beneficiaries through the videoconferencing.