Like the rest of the world Bangladesh will bid good bye to Gregorian year 2014 and welcome year 2015 with a mixed feeling of sun shining success and some major failures. Over the year it witnessed few milestones being achieved and also some major failures darkening the society and environment. Democracy continued struggling for no meeting of minds between ruling alliance and mainstream opposition. But street confrontations, vandalism, arsenal, destruction of people’s property, economy damaging political programs lessened considerably. Economy developed steadily with continued growth of remittance capital and agricultural outputs. Bangladesh earned credibility in international arena winning few coveted positions in international organizations. Several mega projects in infrastructure were launched, few major MOUs with major countries like China, Japan could be concluded, issues with major neighbor India proceeded to path of resolution. Bangladesh made slow and steady advancement in games and sports. Some leading personalities in sports, culture and political arena left us. Some failures like power grid collapse and oil spill inside Sundarban mangrove forest bothered the nation exposing our poor disaster management preparedness. But overall steady progress of economy at appreciable 6 % plus made Bangladesh make strong statement to the developing world. This writer being energy professional and sports enthusiast will rather confine discussions mostly on these areas.
Performance of Power and Energy Sector:
Bangladesh Vision 2021 of achieving power to all got a shot in the arms with adoptions of some mega projects. The ECNEC approval of a giant imported coal-based mega power plant at Matarbari Island of Cox’s Bazar is a significant milestone. Under this JAICA supported project a 1325-MW imported coal fired power plant will be set up in the island along with a coal port and LNG plant. Another power project of same capacity will also be set up in the nearby Maheskhali Island. Government has launched a highly ambitious plan for making Cox’s Bazar a vibrant power generation hub for generating 5000-6000 MW by 2021. A Liquefied Natural Gas LNG terminal with the primary objective of importing 500-MMCFD equivalent LNG is also being set up at Maheskhali and a 90KM long Gas transmission pipeline for transporting LNG converted natural gas for energy starved Chittagong region is also under construction.
Rampal imported coal-based Power plant under India-Bangladesh joint initiative advanced appreciably. Owners, Engineer and Coal sourcing consultant has been engaged. The draft tender document for engaging EPC contractor for the power plant is ready. But the matter of coal transportation from mother vessel to coal plant through eco sensitive Sundarban mangrove forest got a body blow from oil tanker capsize in the Shela River inside the forest. Government has to address its limitations and ensure full proof arrangements for zeroing this nuisance in future.
Government initiated some other mega power projects at Patuakhali and Chittagong region mostly based on imported coal. But absence of coal port including coal handling facilities remained in a spot of bother. The implementation initiative of Russian Government agency supported Rooppur Nuclear Power Generation initiative has significantly advanced with most of the major pre construction surveys and preliminary site activities being completed.
Talks for importing additional 500 MW power import from India using the already existed power grid connectivity has advanced. Initiative for importing 100-MW power from Paltana Power Plant of Tripura is being discussed. Bangladesh and India have also agreed on principal for a major cross country power grid connecting eastern and Western states of India across Bangladesh with opportunity for Bangladesh of accessing this electricity being transported. SAARC countries also inked a framework agreement of SAARC power grid for free flow of electron across SAARC region.
Power Grid witnessed a major failure on 1 November 2014 plunging the entire country into complete brown out. Fortunately the incident happened during the day and entire nation contributed in averting any untoward incident that usually happens even in the developed world during such incident. Although the exact reason behind the incident was not made public yet it is assumed that Power Grid operation failed to manage the sudden surge triggered from momentary frequency fluctuation arising at Bheramara Grid substation importing power from India. All power generation units across the country tripped in cascading domino effect. Questions were raised about co-ordination of power grid protection relays and operation of load dispatch center, contingency power supply planning of Key Point Installations, modernization of Power Grid Operation. Nation hopes that the wakeup call will be seriously dealt with for minimizing human errors to near zero tolerance in future. However, smart actions of Power sector management could minimize the impacts and bring system back on track within the quickest possible time.
Petrobangla companies could complete some major projects in gas production and transmission increasing the national production capacity to 2500 MMCFD. Production capacity of Chevron operated Bibiyana Gas Field alone increased to 1100 MCFD with drilling of additional development wells. Gas transmission capacity to a segment of national gas grid expanded through commissioning of Bibiyana -Dhanua pipeline. GTCL also could commission its long expected Gas Pipeline Compressor stations at Ashuganj and Elenga. The Bakhrabad-Shiddhirganj Gas Transmission loop line also got completed. But these mega gas infrastructures brought little relief of gas system security for failure in discovering any new gas resource. Even these expensive pieces of Gas infrastructures failed to make significant impacts on gas supply system security .Chittagong continued to suffer from chronic gas shortage. Gas production constraints remained a big bother.
Petrobangla Company BAPEX with its humble capacity continued to deliver. GAZPROM the Russian energy giant completed drilling of 10 development wells in Petrobangla owned gas fields. However, given the huge existing and emerging deficits it is well neigh impossible for BAPEX alone to carry forward the entire responsibility of catering the requirements of gas production enhancement even from onshore frontier areas. Experts suggested for engaging IOCs through transparent processes for exploring gas resources even in onshore areas as soon as possible. Side by side multi-client surveys for mapping resources in vast offshore areas of the Bay of Bengal must also start.
One of the major failure of Government was not doing anything mentionable in the mining of significantly large high quality own coal resources. There were some talks about taking up a pilot open cut mining project at a segment of technically troubled Barapukuria coal mine. But no real progress has been achieved in that direction. Water flooding has severely impacted underground coal mining at Barapukuria. Government machinery appeared a bit confused about the Exploration contract and mining lease with Asia Energy Corporation (A GCM group of Company). Given the issues and challenges involved in reliance on imported primary fuel experts believe that mining own coal and setting up coal fired power plants at mine mouth to be the most viable option .
Performance in Sports and Games:
Some successes in cricket and soccer rocked the nation while some failures were also created frustrations and anguish. Towards the end of the year Bangladesh could effectively bury its frustrations in international cricket from double white washing of visiting Zimbabwean team. Tigers won as many as eight matches on the trot – 3 test matches and 5 ODIs. Consistent failures in international cricket at all format since the later part of 2013 till the Caribbean tour created credibility questions of Bangladesh international cricket. Bangladesh entered the losing streak from the home series against Sri Lanka and won virtually nothing in Asia Cup, T20, ODI series against India, T20, ODI and Test matches in West Indies tour. The only wins were in T20 World Cup against Afghanistan and Nepal. Bangladesh lost against Afghanistan and Hong Kong in ODI over this period.
Apart from failures some major controversies and scandals also numbed Bangladesh Cricket .The scam in BPL caused suspension and ban on star performer Ashraful Haque. Best ICC ranked all-rounder Shakib also got suspension and ban for his alleged attitude issues. The last matter created nationwide controversy. The diabolic performance of Bangladesh in West Indies and realization of mistakes of both parties involved paved the way for reversing the actions on Sakib. His royal return to active cricket turned the tide of Bangladesh cricket .Several other new performers – Taijul, Jubair, Arafat Sunny along with seasoned campaigners Tamim. Mushfique, Mashrafee brought consistent glories. Bangladesh Cricket team is now getting ready for the major ICC World Cup to be played in Australia New Zealand. Bangladesh will appear in the group having Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, England, Afghanistan and Scotland. Admirers are dreaming of a 2007 performance repeat when Bangladesh rocked the cricket world beating favorites India and South Africa.
Bangladesh women cricket team made steady progress with successes in the region. It became runners up in the Asian Games Cricket winning against strong oppositions. Given care and attention Team Tigress can bring further glories. Our physically handicapped Cricket team also won a major tournament in India.
Soccer which used to be our premiere game in not too distant past has started retracing its roots again. Arranging international matches at Sylhet, Jessore and Rajshai witnessed crowd returning to football arena. National team showed some glimpses of success. After long delay the much expected Football academy is expected to witness the day light soon. The match against Japanese youth at Bangabandhu national stadium seriously exposed the limitation of Bangladesh football compared to even Asain Standard. We hope smart President of BFF Quazi Salahuddin could take note.Lack of technique , temperament , skills and stamina was nakedly exposed .Bangladesh needs a major national plan for redevelopment of soccer at grass root, regular arrangement of domestic football at school level, district and zonal level, reviewing of foreign players quota and involvement of past players of proven competence at specific level of football management.
Other Mega Projects:
Padma Bridge: 
Finally the much talked about Padma Multi-Purpose Bridge project physical implementation took off to great relief of people of the Southern Region. The Chinese Contractor after mobilizing its equipment, plants and resources has launched the physical activities with a target of letting first movement across and over the dream bridge by end 2018
Four Lane Dhaka –Chittagong and Dhaka –Mymensigh Highways:
Works of the above highways got momentum from vigorous monitoring of policy makers and project management. The issues and challenges could be identified and required actions could be taken to resolve these.
Metro Rail, Bus Rapid Transit and Elevated Express Highways:
Preparatory works advanced for launching these projects at the soonest. Year 2014 witnessed expedited actions on all these projects for easing grid locks of Dhaka City.
Dhaka City Circular River Transport, Road and Railway:
Prime Minister has envisioned these very promising projects in 2014 for regenerating the Dhaka City Circular River and road project .If implemented the transportation issues in and around Dhaka can be addressed to a great extent.
Bi-lateral Issues with India:
In regional and international relations bilateral issues of Bangladesh and India play a major role. Teesta River Treaty and Border Enclave exchange issues are at very advanced stages of resolutions. Indian leaders have time and again stated their sincere commitment to resolve all issues on the basis of good neighborly fraternity. But for some barriers these have not been resolved yet. Many matters of regional connectivity, sharing of resources and expertise can make the region self-reliant if only politicians and bureaucrats can really transform the great people to people contacts more meaningful. If Western Europe, Northern American Countries could do it why not India and Bangladesh can for great mutual benefits of both the countries and the region. Let there be more joint efforts in combating terrorism, poverty, religious extremism. Let everything be resolved on the basis of sovereign equality. Prime Minister Modi and Hasina have great hearts for the people of their country. Let their combined efforts watershed peace and tranquility in the region.
War Criminal Trial:
Some more verdicts were given in the trial process of war criminals of 1971. Most of the cases ended in death references of alleged criminals .Two convicted criminals however expired in the captivity. Freedom loving nation welcomed each verdict and expected execution of the verdicts as soon as possible to free the nation from the curse.
Major Incidents of Crime:
Seven murder case at port city Narayanganj involving a section of Elite force RAB and murder of an elected representative at Feni in movie style rocked the nation .However, government initiated appropriate legal process and alleged criminals are under trail process .People expects that criminals will get exemplary punishment.
Year 2014 started after significant political turmoil in end 2013 when main stream opposition vowed to resist scheduled constitutional election. Election was held in early January although not fully participatory. The elected government went through various trials and tribulations in its endeavors of creating stability .It have to confront so many issues and challenges. Despite of opposition of powerful western countries Bangladesh made giant strides in many areas. Bangladesh is considered an ideal model of a developing nation. There are still huge concerns but there are plenty of opportunities as well. The path of prosperity cannot be silky smooth all the way. There has to be many twists and turns. The nation born through blood bath of 1971 has inherent resilience to take up all challenges.
Year 2014 will become part of history. Bangladesh will enter year 2015 with high hopes and great ambition. Nation belongs to everyone. Destructive politics, street agitations only bring miseries. Nation hopes to see responsible pro people, pro-development politics. Only miscreants gain from economy destroying violent politics. If political stability persists Bangladesh may even achieve double digit growth from 2021 only if the conceived mega infrastructure projects can achieve implementation on time.
** 2014-Year of Hope and Despair
BDST: 1341 HRS, DEC 31, 2014
