BSS, Dhaka :
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) Wednesday approved Strengthening the Distribution System of Rural Electrification project to increase the capacity of transmission network of 39 Palli Bidyut Samities.
Under the project, system loss during power distribution would be reduced by 2.5 per cent through strengthening the distribution network in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet divisions.
The approval was given at an ECNEC meeting at NEC conference room in city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Planning Minister A H M Mostafa Kamal after the meeting told reporters that the ECNEC approved four development projects with the total outlay of Taka 6,386.07 crore.
“Of the total cost, the government will provide Taka 1,843.47 crore from the national exchequer while Taka 4,317.15 crore will come as project assistance and concerned organisations will contribute Taka 225.45 crore from own source,” he added.
Kamal said distribution network of 39 Palli Bidyut Samities would be strengthened through increasing their capacities by 1840 MVA.
The distribution system of rural electrification would require a cost of Taka 5,198.33 crore, of which, the government will provide Taka 1,293.33 crore and Taka 3705 crore will come as project assistance and concerned organisation will contribute Taka 200 crore.
Rural Electrification Board (REB) is empowered to implement the project by June, 2020.
Main activities of the project are to install 2728km of new 33KV transmission line with up-gradation of 887km old line, complete the installation and up-gradation of 11 KV 2634km transmission line, 110 substations, 31 switching stations and construct 32 sets of river crossing towers.
The ECNEC approved another project “Installation of Wireless Broadband Network for Digital Bangladesh” involving Taka 956.84 crore aiming to ensure broadband Internet at a cheaper rate for all.
Government will provide Taka 344.69 crore from the national exchequer while Taka 612.15 crore would come as project assistance.
Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) will implement the project by June, 2017.
Under the project, two core networks will be set up in Dhaka while 300km optical fibre will be laid in seven divisional headquarters, districts and upazila levels with the installation of 670 base transceiver stations (BTSs).
Planning minister said the project will expand the ICT related services through ensuring high speed Internet.
Another project is “Construction of Divisional and District Shilpakala Academy” involving Taka 193.97 crore.
Under the project, three divisional Shilpakal academies and five district Shilpakal academies would be constructed by June, 2017.
The ECNEC also approved Uttara Lake Development Project at Taka 37 crore.
Ministers, members of Planning Commission and secretaries were present in the meeting.
