Govt to implement Tk 3,076.22cr project to enhance rural electrification network

The government has undertaken a big move to enhance the capacity and also ensure modernization of distribution network of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), which is expected to benefit and ensure uninterrupted power supply to some 34.30 lakh consumers in Khulna Division.

The BREB under the Power Division will implement the project with an estimated cost of Taka 3,076.22 crore by June 2025.

Of the total project cost, Taka 567.26 crore will come from the government of Bangladesh portion, Taka 808.88 crore will come from the respective organization’s own fund while the rest of Taka 1,700.07 crore as project assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The project titled “Modernization of power distribution system and capacity enhancement of BREB (Khulna Division)” is likely to be placed before the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) tomorrow (Tuesday), said a Planning Commission official.

ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over the meeting virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence while ministers, state ministers, secretaries and planning commission members will join the meeting from the NEC conference room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

The official said the main objectives of the project are enhancing the network capacity of BREB and its upgradation, meeting the growing demand of power, ensuring an uninterrupted, reliable, cost efficient power distribution system and thus reducing the system loss in power distribution.

The project area covers nine Palli Bidyut Samities of BREB -Bagerhat, Jashore-1, Jashore-2, Jhenaidah, Khulna, Kushtia, Magura, Meherpur, and Satkhira.

The project will also help improve household incomes by reducing expenses on kerosene for cooking as well as lighting and provide opportunities for energy-based economic activities.

Talking to journalists, a Planning Commission member preferring anonymity said that the demand of power is increasing all over the country including in Khulna Division, so there is a need for enhancing the capacity of distribution network.

“Under the circumstances, the project has been framed and it will cover almost the entire Khulna Division,” the official said adding that standard power distribution network would be developed under the project.

The main project operations include construction of 51 numbers of 33/11 KV new power substations, erection of 33kv new/1161km underground lines, 11 KV new/10,685km underground lines, installation of 1,300 insulated conductors, conversion of 3,300 km lines from LT to HT, conversion of 2,874 km HT 1 phase to 3 phase and land purchase of 2040 decimals.

Meanwhile, the ECNEC meeting to be held on Tuesday, is also likely to consider a good number of projects that include Establishment of telecommunication network for Economic Zones, 1st phase, with Taka 95.12 crore; Construction of Panguchi Bridge over River Panguchi on Signboard-Morolganj-Rayenda-Shoronkhola-Bogi road with Taka 912.33 crore; Construction of Sheikh Russell mini stadiums at Upazila Level, 2nd phase, with Taka 1,649.32 crore; Construction of multi-storey building of the Department of Public Libraries with Taka 524.25 crore; Establishment of Super Specialised Hospital under BSMMU, 1st revised; Road development, construction of bridges and culverts from Karigarpara to Bilaichori under Rangamati district with Taka 338.54 crore; Development of important rural infrastructures of Cumilla, Brahmanbaria and Chandpur districts with Taka 2,500 crore; Flood control, drainage and irrigation project at Patia upazila in Chattogram district with Taka 1,158.36 crore and Rehabilitation and expansion of command areas of Teesta Irrigation project with Taka 1,452.33 crore.