Nine Indian Officials Leave Rampal Power Plant Without Prior Clearance

Nine Indian officials working at the Rampal Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat—operated by the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL)—have left Bangladesh without prior approval from the authorities, raising serious concern among plant officials. The incident has been formally reported to the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and the relevant ministry. Local police have also been informed in writing, according to Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Hasan Chowdhury.

Speaking on the matter, the police superintendent said the issue of nine Indian officials leaving the Rampal coal-fired power plant without permission is currently under investigation by the concerned authorities.

The officials who departed include personnel deputed from India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC):
GM (C&I) Pratim Barman, GM Biswajit Mondal, GM N. Suraya Prakasa Roy, AGM Kesaba Palaki, DGM Sureya Kanta Mandekar, DGM Surendra Lamba, AGM Pappu Lal Meena, DGM Arnaban Saha (CF), and Immanuel Ponraj Devaraj.

According to plant sources, the matter came to light on the morning of Saturday, 24 January, when the officials were found absent from the dining table. Upon inquiry, it was discovered that they had left the plant premises without informing anyone. Later in the afternoon, it was confirmed that they had entered India through the Bhomra land port. When the issue was communicated to Project Director Ramanath Pujari, he contacted the concerned individuals, who reportedly cited security concerns as the reason for leaving Bangladesh.

Officials familiar with the situation noted that the power plant area is protected by a four-tier security system, including the army, police, and Ansar personnel, making the sudden departure particularly puzzling. They also stated that the officials had never raised any security-related complaints or concerns with the authorities prior to leaving. The abrupt nature of their departure has left the plant management surprised.

Anwarul Azim, Deputy General Manager (Public Relations) of the Rampal Thermal Power Plant, said,

“When we did not find them at the dining hall in the morning, we made inquiries and learned that they had gone to India without permission. The matter has been reported to the higher authorities. The reasons behind their sudden departure are being investigated with due importance.”

DBTech/BTA/EK/OR