Corridor Of Power, Literally: India Seeks Bangladesh’s Cooperation For East-West Electricity Transmission Network

India is seeking a corridor facility from Bangladesh in order to facilitate electricity transmission via 765 kV transmission line to India’s western parts from its eastern parts. This transmission infrastructure is slated to transmit approximately 4,000 MW of hydro power of which, Bangladesh will have an option to buy up to 1,000 MW, reported Energy Bangla.

According to the report, the project is still not matured and is yet to complete feasibility study, but India is seeking a nod from the Bangladesh government to connect Arunachal-Bihar super highway grid through proposed Jamalpur-Dinajpur grid line of Bangladesh.

India’s north-east has a potential of 33,100 MW of hydro power, but is untapped because of the low demand of electricity while absence of a power grid hinders supply of excess electricity to its western parts. Electricity transmission from north-eastern India to western parts of India requires a corridor through Bangladesh due to geo-political boundaries.

India has asked Bangladesh to make an investment in the project. A senior Power division official told the portal, “As per their (India) proposal, Bangladesh will build the line to support the plan. We asked why would Bangladesh invest here? Yes, we plan to buy some power from here, but they are talking about investment. The 13th Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meeting on cooperation in the power sector between Bangladesh and India will discuss the issue. However, the meeting is scheduled to start today (Monday) in Sylhet.”

Indian Power Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Bangladesh’s Power Division Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus will have a discussion on the issue, while a task force will meet on 24 September and a joint declaration will be signed on 26 September in the steering committee.