DHAKA: Bangladesh Monday signed a deal with India for constructing cross-border supply pipeline to import electricity from the neighbouring country, realizing the accord reached by their premiers.

Officials said the agreement was signed between Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) and the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL).

The 35-year-long agreement was signed by PDB Secretary Azizul Islam and Arun Kumar, Executive Director of PGCIL (Trade), on behalf of the respective side.  

A total of 120-Kilometer-long pipeline will be installed and two substations set up on two sides of the frontier, one at Bheramara in Kushtia and the other at Bahrampur in West Bengal.

The project works will be completed by 2012 as per the agreement.

Indian Central Electricity Regulatory Commission will fix conditions on expenditure and PDB will bear the entire cost.  

During Prime minister Sheikh Haisna\`s visit to India in January, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the power sector was signed between the two countries.

The MoU on power provides for import and export of electricity to the tune of over 900 million units per annum depending on availability, need and price.

Bangladesh will receive the power from Indian grids in eastern West Bengal state and northeastern Tripura state. (ANI)

BDST: 2048 HRS, JULY 26, 2010.