Economy
Bangladesh-India Partnership Illuminates New Chapter with Ctg Street Light Modernization
In a significant milestone for the Bangladesh-India development partnership, a contract was signed on Saturday in Chattogram for the modernization of the city’s street light system. This project, valued at USD 25.71 million (nearly Tk 300 crore), is being implemented under the Government of India’s concessional Line of Credit programme.
The signing ceremony was attended by Md Tajul Islam, Bangladesh’s Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives; Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation; and Pranay Verma, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh.
High Commissioner Verma, in his remarks, highlighted the project’s role in laying the foundation for a Smart City infrastructure in Chattogram. He emphasized its alignment with the recently declared Shared Vision for an ‘India-Bangladesh Green Partnership for a Sustainable Future,’ signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s state visit to India in June 2024.
The high commissioner underscored the collaborative efforts of both nations to integrate environment-friendly approaches into development projects. These efforts include co-developing energy-efficient measures, enhancing energy independence, reducing carbon emissions, and improving power transmission efficiency. The project aims to optimize energy use, reduce wastage, promote sustainable urban development, and establish smart urban infrastructure to enhance the quality of urban life.
Describing the project as a testament to the sustainability commitment of both India and Bangladesh, Verma expressed hope that such collaborations would pave the way for a brighter, greener, and more prosperous future.
According to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, the project’s objective is to replace conventional street lights with eco-friendly, low-power consuming LED lights. This upgrade will reduce Chattogram’s carbon footprint, lower maintenance costs due to the longer lifespan of the LED lights, and improve public safety by providing better-lit streets.
The modernization project will cover approximately 460 kilometers of city streets, utilizing 20,600 LED light fittings and associated technology and equipment. This initiative is expected to result in significant cost savings and contribute to the overall enhancement of life quality for Chattogram’s residents.
By implementing this project with a concessional loan from the Government of India, both nations reaffirm their dedication to sustainable development and the creation of smart urban environments.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday paid tribute to the Armed Forces Division by placing a floral wreath at its headquarters.
Prof Yunus, who visited the division as part of his official duties, laid the wreath to honor the sacrifices and dedication of the members of the Armed Forces.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, he signed the visitor’s book.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, along with four other election commissioners, announced their resignation during a press conference today at the Election Commission (EC) building. The resignation follows growing speculation and pressure.
CEC Awal stated, “In this changed situation, I and other commissioners have decided to step down. We’re handing over our resignation letters to the EC Secretary to send it to the President.” After submitting the letters, the CEC and some commissioners quickly left the premises, with no clear explanation for the absence of two election commissioners.
The resignations come amid increasing unrest tied to the registration of political parties such as Nagarik Oikya and Gono Odhikar Parishad. Sources revealed the CEC felt unsafe due to aggressive behavior from activists, prompting the decision to step down.
Protesters outside the EC building hurled shoes at vehicles carrying Election Commissioners Rashida Sultana, Md Alamgir, and Anisur Rahman as they left. Meanwhile, preparations for their exit had already been underway, with the commissioners reportedly relocating personal belongings from their offices.
The commission, appointed in February 2022 for a five-year term, had previously expressed confusion over demands for their resignation, maintaining they had conducted fair elections. However, internal discussions led to the collective decision to resign earlier than expected.
The government will now purchase LNG from the international spot market through open tender instead of negotiation.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in a meeting on Wednesday in principle approved a proposal in this regard.
Adviser of the interim government for Finance Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, who presided over the meeting, said that the government will procure LNG through open tender.
The Energy and Mineral Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources placed the proposal where it sought approval to import LNG from 23 listed companies in the international spot market.
The adviser said that though such 23 companies were enlisted by the previous Awami League government and signed Master Sales and Purchase Agreement, they will remain unchanged.
He said that instead of applying the Speedy Increase of Energy and Power Supply (Special) Act 2010, the interim government will follow the Public Procurement Rules 2008 to ensure the competitive bidding process.
“We don’t want to change them as we wanted to import LNG quickly, ensuring proper competition among the suppliers,” he told reporters.
Committee also approved another proposal in principle to sign a contract to import urea fertiliser for the 2024-25 fiscal year from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE, on a G-to-G basis.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement (CCGP) in a meeting, presided over by the Adviser for Finance, approved 3 proposals for import of lentil and fertiliser.
As per the proposal, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh will procure 10,000 metric tons (MT) of lentil from local firm Sahara Enterprise at a cost of Tk 98.20 crore with each kg priced at Tk 98.20.
The Commerce Ministry which moved the proposal on behalf of the TCB in the meeting mentioned in the proposal that the supplier firm was selected through open tender.
The CCGP approved two separate proposals of the Industries Ministry under which Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation will import 30,000 MT of bulk granular urea fertiliser from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE, under state to state contract at a cost of Tk 121.48 crore.
Each metric ton of fertiliser will cost $343.17.
Another 30,000 MT of bagged granular urea fertiliser will be procured from the local Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (Kafco) at a cost of Tk 116.99 crore with each metric ton costing $330.50.
