Government clears Russian giant Gazprom to drill five gas wells in Bangladesh

The government has cleared a proposal to sign a deal with Russia’s state-run Gazprom International to drill five wells in several gas fields in Bangladesh at an estimated cost of over $ 96.22 million.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase approved the proposal in a meeting chaired by Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Wednesday.

The wells will be dug at Bakhrabad-10, Rashidpur-9, 10, and 12 in Sunamganj, and Srikail-4 in Comilla.

Cabinet Division’s Additional Secretary Mostafizur Rahman told reporters after the meeting the deal would be signed under the Speedy Supply of Power and Energy (Special Provision) Act, 2010.

He said roads leading to three wells at Rashidpur would be developed at Tk 220.5 million.

The meeting cleared another proposal to purchase 15-metre high 23,614 SPC polls for PDSDP, Chittagong Zone project under Bangladesh Power Development Board.

The estimated procurement cost is Tk 991 million which will be entirely borne by the government.

Another purchase proposal for the setting up of 7.4-megawatt Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant funded by Asian Development Bank was also cleared.

A Spanish company will implement the work at Tk 919.4 million.

The Cabinet committee cleared a proposal to engage US firm OSM Solutions as the consultant for a project to build 410MW gas-run combined cycle power plant at Bibiyana. The firm will get Tk 117.98 million for the job.

According to another approved proposal, Indian company Balaji Railroad Systems Limited is going to get the job of appointing the consultant for Khulna-Shahbazpur rehabilitation project’s design, tender and supervision.

The estimated cost of the work under the India’s Line of Credit is Tk 236.8 million.

Indian firm Larsen and Toubro Transportation Infrastructure IC will get the job to build a railway bridge on the Rupsha River at Tk 12.38 billion under Khulna-Mongla railway project.

The Cabinet committee also cleared proposals to print, bind and supply free text books, import potash fertiliser, and appoint contractors for four projects to develop railroads.