DHAKA: Bangladeshi vehicles will have to halt on domestic roads when Indian heavy-duty trucks and lories will be carrying heavy goods over to Tripura from 12am to 6am for the construction of a proposed power plant.

The decision is learnt to be laid down in a summary titled ‘Over Dimensional Consignment (ODC)’ prepared for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasian on the eve of Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Dhaka Saturday.

“Earlier, we had considered fixing time from 4 am to 6 am for freight truck movement, but it wouldn’t be possible for them to cross the border within the short time,” Secretary of Roads and Railways department Mozammel Haque Khan told banglanews24.com.bd.

Later, he added, the new time schedule was determined.

Bangladesh and India are putting in efforts for the start of the work on ODC transportation from November and Indian trucks will use Bangladesh routes for 1.5 years under an accord.

The secretary also said the last meeting on ODC was held at the Shipping Ministry on August 4.

Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC) of India proposes to initially develop a 726.6-MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) thermal power plant close to its gas fields in Tripura State and supply power to the deficit areas of the landlocked northeastern states of India

ONGC Tripura Power Company Ltd is set to construct the thermal power plant at Pallatana in Tripura to supply power to the power-deficit areas of the northeastern states of the country. For the construction of the plant, heavy equipment from Kolkata or other ports would be brought in to Tripura crossing over Akhaura border by using Ashuganj river port.

Mozammel Haque Khan said they have suggested ‘Parking Bay’ to be set up after five kilometers on the 33-kilometer way from Ashuganj to Sultanpur for the sake of vehicle movement.

A Bangladesh-India joint committee has recommended suspension of domestic vehicle movement on Ashuganj-Akhaura route during transportation of Indian goods. But the Roads and Railways department opposed the decision.

The Roads and Railways secretary said, “It wouldn’t be wise to stop the plying of local vehicles during the ODC movement on the route. Some parts of the highway for the domestic vehicle movement were also suggested.”

A total of 10 recommendations of joint river committee on ODC movement have been mentioned in the summary prepared for the Prime Minister. The recommendations include vehicle movement, security and toll collection.

The note also states that Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will submit a report on the navigability of waterways and heights of bridges for the movement of water transport from Angtihara to Ashuganj.

According to the summary, it is necessary to inform the local representatives about the new timings of ODC movement. “Besides, law-enforcing agencies in collaboration with local district administration and police should be aware in this regard,” it was quoted as saying.

BDST: 1955 HRS, August 6, 2010