Govt pushes to expedite Jamalpur 100MW solar project

The government has directed officials to expedite the implementation of the 100MW Madarganj solar power project in Jamalpur, resolve outstanding rehabilitation issues within two weeks and review the exclusion of key technical components from its scope of work.
The directives came during a site visit and review meeting on Thursday by Power Division Additional Secretary Noor Ahmed and Deputy Secretary Ahsan Sadi following approval of the project's second revised Development Project Proposal (DPP) by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
In a letter dated 3 September, the Planning Division informed the Rural Power Company Limited (RPCL) of the revised DPP's approval and directed it to complete the project within the approved timeframe. Speaking to reporters after the inspection, Noor Ahmed said the visit was aimed at accelerating implementation in line with government directives. He said a substantial portion of the work had already been completed, but existing obstacles needed to be identified and resolved quickly through better coordination among the project authority, contractor and relevant agencies.

During the inspection, the additional secretary directed RPCL's managing director to resolve all related complications within the next two weeks. The review meeting also raised concerns over the exclusion of several technical components and activities from the project's scope during the DPP revision.
According to the meeting, Indian EPC contractor representative Venkatesh Prasad alleged that the changes were made unilaterally after around 62% of the project work had been completed. Concerns were also raised over long-term operation, as RPCL reportedly lacks experience in independently running a solar plant of this scale.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the issues, Noor Ahmed and Ahsan Sadi directed RPCL's managing director and the current project director to hold immediate discussions with the contractor and consultant to find solutions.

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Jamalpur solar project yet to take off despite ECNEC approval

They also ordered an investigation into the decisions to exclude the activities, directing the authorities to establish accountability and take disciplinary action under the rules if any official or individual is found responsible.  The two officials directed RPCL's managing director to clear outstanding bills immediately and ensure future payments are made according to the agreed schedule, warning that avoidable financial losses to the government must be prevented.

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