The EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contract for the proposed 1,320MW coal-fired power plant in Rampal near the Sundarbans is likely to be signed this month.

Power Secretary and Chairman of Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Ltd (BIFPC) Monowar Islam said this while addressing a workshop on Power System Master Plan, organised by Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), at Bidyut Bhaban in the    capital yesterday.

“The date for signing the contract is yet to be confirmed. But hopefully, it will be signed within this current month."

The power secretary's remarks came at a time when campaigns against the plant on environmental grounds are stepping up efforts.

The BIFPC, a joint venture company of Dhaka and New Delhi, has been implementing the 1,320MW coal-fired power plant project.

Following concerns raised by different rights groups about the plant's proximity to the Sundarbans, a Unesco team recently visited the site and held discussions with officials from different government departments. The team is yet to disclose their findings. It is alleged that their freedom to survey the site and collect evidence was severely restricted.

Presiding over the workshop, the power secretary said 96 percent people would come under electricity coverage by the end of 2019.

Experts from Jica made a presentation on the Power System Master Plan up to 2041, under which initially a plan will be made for 2016-30 and later it will be extended up to 2041.