CALCUTTA, June 23: The exact location for connecting the eastern and north-eastern regions of India and Bangladesh for power exchange will be identified by the end of this month, according to a top ranking official of the Power Grid Corporation of India here.

The connections will be part of the power exchange programme between India and its neighbours. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is acting as a mediator between India and Bangladesh while the World Bank is mediating between India and Pakistan.

The first tripartite meeting between India, Bangladesh and ADB was held on May 28 and 30 at the bank's headquarters in Manila. The power secretaries of the two countries, the chairmen of implementing agencies Power Grid and Bangladesh Power Development Board as well as the loan manager of ADB took part in the meeting where it was decided to identify the exact connection points in the eastern and north-eastern parts of India. By July, ADB will appoint a consultant from a third country to prepare a technical assistance study report for suitable commercial and administrative arrangements. All consultancy charges will be borne by the bank.

The feasibility report will be based on the study report.It has been mutually agreed that India will supply power from its surplus eastern region to the power-starved western districts of Bangladesh while the latter will supply power from its gas-based power plants located in the north-eastern districts to the power starved north-eastern regions of India.

India is also likely to import power from Pakistan for the north-western regions. Pakistan has a surplus of 1000mw which is all set to go up to 3,000mw in the next two to three years.

The Power Grid official said a 80 to 90 km high-voltage line has to connect Jeerat in West Bengal with Jessore in western Bangladesh for power transfer. The project cost will range between Rs 40 and 50 crore depending upon the length of the line.

Since Power Grid does not possess any high-voltage line or substations in this region, it has requested the West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB) to allow it to use its Jeerat sub-station.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.