Photo : TDM
The solar panel initiative undertaken by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA)in Barisal has resulted in significant financial losses for the government.
The project involved the installation of solar panels at the modern naval terminal in Barisal, but these panels became non-operational within a mere 8 days of their setup. Over the subsequent 8 years, they remained dysfunctional.
Unfortunately, this solar panel project has failed to provide any benefits to the passengers using the terminal, prompting BIWTA's head office to request the removal of the non-functional panel. Consequently, stakeholders are lamenting the wastage of funds invested in this project, which amounted to crores of money.
The inauguration of the Barisal Naval Port's development, featuring a three-story modern terminal building spanning 1,554 square feet, a 4,000 square-foot parking facility, a 12-foot steel boundary wall and retaining wall, six 120-foot pontoons, four steel gangways, a 400-square-foot cargo shed, and a police camp, took place on March 4, 2010. This transformative endeavor was later graced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on March 22, 2012, who inaugurated the modern naval terminal building.
In collaboration with the Navy Ministry, which oversees four naval ports in the country, an allocation of Tk 1 crore 34 lakh was designated for a solar power initiative. The purpose was to immediately supply 50 kilowatts of solar power, distributing 20 kilowatts for Dhaka and 10 kilowatts for each of Chattogram, Narayanganj, and Barisal naval ports. The intention was to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the Barisal Naval Port Terminal, accomplished through the installation of a 10-kilowatt solar power supply panel.
The installation of the panel reached completion on June 11, 2014. Regrettably, a malfunction occurred within a mere 8 days, leading to a prolonged inactivity of the solar power panel for the ensuing 8 years. This defunct installation was meant to secure continuous power for the naval port but has regrettably fallen short of its anticipated success. Despite numerous complaints, responsible parties have yet to take remedial actions.
Several BIWTA officials and employees, preferring to remain unnamed, have reported the issue of rainwater leakage through the roof of the building following the installation of the solar panel on the rooftop. This situation necessitated the placement of tiles on the port's employees' room rooftop several years ago, safeguarding its contents. However, important documents and stationery stored in other rooms have suffered water damage due to this issue.
The responsible officer overseeing ticketing at the Barisal Naval Port confirmed that the port serves an average of 5,000 to 10,000 passengers daily, emphasizing passenger safety as a key consideration for the solar panel installation. However, this installation has not been operational for a duration of 7 to 8 days following its setup. Moreover, the clamps used to secure the solar panel on the roof have led to water leakage from the ceiling, resulting in the deterioration of various documents.
Mamunur Rashid, the operational engineer at Barisal BRTA, disclosed that a letter has been dispatched to Dhaka requesting the removal of the problematic solar panel. The current malfunction has inflicted extensive damage to the roof. He clarified that the project was executed by the BIWTA's former MMIE (Mechanical, Marine, and Industrial Engineering) department rather than the engineering department.
TDM/SD
