BSS, Rajshahi :
Rajshahi zone of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (REB) is going to attain the target of 100 percent power supply to all its 30 upazilas by next June.
“We have already brought 28 upazilas under the coverage of hundred percent power supply in this zone,” said Enamul Haque, superintending engineer (current-charge) of REB, Rajshahi zone.
He says target has been set to bring the rest Shingra upazila in Natore district and Bagmara in Rajshahi district under the power supply coverage by March and June respectively.
All the officials and staff concerned have adopted diversified measures to attain the target within the stipulated time. They are also carrying out various campaign programmes among members of the public.
The field level workers are indentifying the dwelling houses and commercial establishments still having no power supply and working relentlessly to bring those under electricity coverage.
Six units of Pally Bidyut Samity (PBS) are working in 30 upazilas fully and six other upazilas partly in the zone comprising Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Natore and Pabna districts.
Engineer Enamul Haque said 13,833-kilometer line, 43,543 transformers and 20 substations were commissioned till December last. Work on installation of 20 other substations is progressing fast at present.
Power connection was given to more than 10.82 lakh residences, 49,896 commercial establishments, 4,907 industries, 13,142 irrigation pumps and 7,703 other consumers in last 10 years.
Mijanur Rahman, a farmer of Krishnapur village under Tanore upazila, said the rural farmers are cultivating Boro rice and other crops using power-driven irrigation pumps round the year.
He says many rural people have set up a small-scale engineering and welding workshop and other businesses establishments everywhere in the rural areas using electricity.
Mojibur Rahman, chairman of Gogram Union Parishad under Godagari upazila, said many of the high and middleclass village people are now seen using modern appliances like air-conditioner, gizzard, rice-cooker and micro-woven in their houses after getting power supply.
Engineer Enamul Haque said power supply is indispensable and there is no alternative of it for elevating the living and livelihood condition of the people in general besides upholding the country’s development and production.
For this reason, he said, the present government has attached highest priority to the sector and has been implementing massive and effective projects.
The REB is playing a vital role in agricultural, industrial and socio- economic development of the region through providing power services, he added.
