Kaladan News

Dated: Friday, February 25, 2005

India Constructive on Bangladesh’s Tri-Nation Gas Pipeline Situation

Chittagong, February 25: In the first meeting of techno-economic working committee on Burma-Bangladesh-India gas pipeline in Rangoon yesterday, Dhaka made it clear that signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) depends on resolving bilateral issues with New Delhi.

Two representatives from Dhaka---Petrobangla Chairman SR Osmani and Gas Transmission Company Limited director (operation) Abdus Saleque Sufi---made it clear at the meeting that signing of a memorandum depends on resolving bilateral issues between Dhaka and Delhi, sources concerned quoting the two-member representatives of Bangladesh said.

They said the Indian delegation led by AK Srivastava, a joint secretary of the ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was positive about three bilateral issues, including providing Dhaka with transit facility to import hydroelectricity from Nepal and Bhutan, Bangladesh’s trade with the two countries, and reducing trade imbalance between Dhaka and New Delhi.

The Bangladesh delegation again raised the issues in the meeting of techno-economic working committee for the proposed gas pipeline.

Besides, the six-member committee at the meeting held at the conference room of the energy ministry of Burma reached a consensus that the pipeline would be set up through Bangladesh, but not by passing the country.

Sources said the meeting also in principle accepted Dhaka’s proposal of setting up a-597 kilometer gas pipeline.

The meeting, however, was yet to reach a consensus on the Dhaka’s proposed route. A decision in this regard would be taken today.

Dhaka proposed that the pipeline should enter Bangladesh at Teknaf, go across towards Chittagong, following Bakhrabad-Chittagong and Ashuganj-Bakhrabad pipeline up to Brahmanbaria where a spur line can connect Tripura gas fields.

Pipeline then would traverse through Kishoreganj, Gazipur, Tangail, Sirajganj, Pabna, Kushtia, Jessore and enter the state of West Bengal, India at Bongaon.

The meeting will finalize the draft for a memorandum of understanding, which will be signed by Bangladesh, India and Burma, if it is ratified by the respective governments of the three countries, by April.

Sources said Bangladesh delegation in the meeting also tagged several conditions for the cross-border energy cooperation.

The main feature of the new conditions is Bangladesh's right to inject and siphon off its own gas at designated intakes and out-takes as and when required within its territory without any carriage fee.

However, the sources said, the international consortium, which will build and operate the pipeline will pay carriage fee for transporting gas across the territory of Bangladesh. The GTCL will maintain and operate the pipeline within the Bangladesh territory.

The main feature of the new conditions is Bangladesh’s right to inject and siphon off its own gas at designated intakes and off-takes as and when required within its territory without any carriage fee.

The sources said the international consortium, which will build and operate the pipeline, will pay carriage fee for transporting gas across the territory of Bangladesh. The GTCL will maintain and operate the pipeline within the Bangladesh territory. ##

For more information, please contact at:

Mobile: +880 11 227 138

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.kaladanpress.org

www.kaladanpress.com