Economic Reporter :
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved the ‘Expansion of power distribution system and upgradation in West Zone Area’ with an outlay of Tk 1,278.20 crore, aiming to ensure the reliability and longevity of power distribution and reduce technical and non-technical system losses.
The approval came from the weekly Ecnec meeting held at NEC conference room with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said a total of five projects were approved on Tuesday with an estimated cost of Tk 2,454.68 crore.
“Of the total project cost, Tk 2,359.31 crore will come from the national exchequer while Tk 95.37 crore from the organization’s own fund,” he said.
Of the approved five projects, two are new while three are revised ones.
The Planning Minister said that West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDCL) under the Power Division will implement the project by June 2020.
He, however, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the meeting asked the executing agency to complete this project within the next two to three years.
The project will be implemented in Faridpur, Rajbari, Madaripur, Gopalganj and Shariatpur districts of Dhaka division, Khulna, Jessore, Narail, Bagerhat, Magura, Satkhira, Meherpur, Kushtia, Chuadanga, Jhenidah districts of Khulna division, Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Patuakhali, Barguna, and Bhola districts of Barisal division.
Under the project, there will be construction of some 33 KV 1054.25 kilometers of distribution lines and some 11-KV 62 kilometers of distribution lines, establishment of 63 33/11 KV power substations and installation of some 1722 11/0.4 KV distribution transformers.
The project will also help meet the growing demand of power due to the establishment of the Padma Bridge and future economic zone as well as enhance the capacity of the existing power distribution system.
The WZPDCL consists of 6 circle and 48 power distribution offices covering 41 upazilas with an area of 4,190.2 square kilometers having a population of 52.10 lakh. Besides, there are many SME and big industries in that region and huge possibility of expansion of industries.
Under the present circumstances, the project has been approved to ensure standard and uninterrupted power supply to improve the socioeconomic status of that region.
The Ecnec meeting also gave nod to the Introduction of 3G Technology and expansion of 2.5 G network (phase-2) project with an estimated cost of Tk 675.81 crore aiming to offer better and quality services for the state-owned cellphone operator Teletalk through expanding and modernizing its network.
The implementation of the project would strengthen, expand and
improve the service quality of the operator which would also pave the way for offering different government services through it.
Teletalk Bangladesh Limited under the Posts and Telecommunications Division will implement the project by December 2017. Of the total project cost of Tk 675.81 crore, Tk 607.79 crore will come from the national exchequer, while Tk 68.02 crore from Teletalk’s own fund.
The other projects approved at the meeting are power generation through co-generation method and establishment of sugar refinery at North Bengal Sugar Mills, 1st revised, with Tk 324.18 crore, construction of Baniachang-Ajmiriganj road, 1st revised, with Tk 116 crore and construction of Teknaf-Ramu-Garrison-Morichha-Palang connecting road, 1st revised, with Tk 60.49 crore.
Ministers and State Ministers, Planning Commission members and secretaries concerned were present at the meeting.
