ECNEC approves 2 power distribution projects

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at a meeting today approved two similar projects to extend power distribution lines in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions to give some 4.15 lakh new power connections involving Taka 2,215.17 crore.

ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting held
in the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

Briefing the reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said that a total of nine projects were approved today involving an overall estimated cost of Taka 16,433.27 crore.

“Of the total project cost, Taka 13,620.27 crore will come from the GoB portion, Taka 285.61 crore from the organization’s own fund while the rest of Taka 2,527.39 crore from project assistance,” he said.

Of the approved nine projects, five schemes are new while four others are revised ones.

The planning minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the meeting asked the Ministry of Land to frame a national policy for optimum utilization of land for various purposes like building industries and agricultural uses across the country.

The prime minister asked the Ministry of Land to come up with a detailed plan in this regard, he added.

The premier asked the Ministry of Railways to frame a plan to transform all the existing meter gauge railway tracks in the country into broad gauge in future.

She underscored the need for strengthening the capacity of Bangladesh Railway through ensuring BMRE of the existing workshops so that these could continue maintenance works extensively and manufacture Railway spare parts instead of importing those from abroad.

The prime minister also stressed the need for developing an integrated communication system across the country comprising the roads, railways and waterways.

She also reiterated her stance to incorporate Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) in every future development projects where infrastructure works are associated for ensuring waste management.

Mannan said the ECNEC meeting praised highly the PDB and the REB for their
works over the years to widen the coverage of electricity across the country.

The Planning Minister said both the power distribution line projects aim at ensuring cent percent electrification by 2021 in the project areas, strengthening and improving further the power distribution system to provide uninterrupted power supply for every user by 2030, improving the socio-economic conditions of people in the project areas and providing improved client services.

The Rangpur division power distributions line and substations extension and rehabilitation project will be implemented by the Northern Electric Supply Company (NESCO) Limited under the Power Division with an estimated cost of Taka 1,123.85 crore. The project is scheduled to be implemented by June, 2022.

The project will be implemented at 21 city corporation, pourasabha and upazila areas under eight districts of Rangpur division. The project will also increase the capacity by 220 MVA and some 1.80 lakh new power connections will be provided.

The main project operations include erection of some 3,192 kilometer new power connections, renovation of the existing 1,739 kilometer old lines, standard up-gradation and rehabilitation of some 10 33/11 KV sub-stations, installation of 4,326 distribution transformers and some 368 11KV capacitor banks.

The Rajshahi Division distribution line and substation extension and rehabilitation project will be implemented also by the Northern Electricity Supply Company (NESCO) Limited under the Power Division with an estimated cost of Taka 1,091.32 crore. The project is scheduled to be completed by June, 2022.

This project will also increase the capacity by 470 MVA and some 2.35 lakh
new power connections will be provided.

The main project operations include installation of some 3 new 33/11 KV
power sub-stations, standard up-gradation and rehabilitation of some 20 33/11
KV sub-stations, erection of some 2,042.5 kilometer new lines, rehabilitation
of some 1,411 kilometer dilapidated lines, installation of some 3,851
distribution transformers, installation of 25 circuit breakers as well as
installation of 311 capacitor banks.

The day’s ECNEC meeting also approved another project for establishing
Sayedpur 150 MW+ 10% simple cycle (HSD based) power station with an estimated
cost of Taka 1,001 crore. Power Division will implement the project by June,
2021.

This project aims to enhance the power production capacity to meet the growing demand of power in the northern region and thus create regional balance in power production.

The other projects approved in the meeting are Procurement of 70 meter gauge diesel electric locomotives, 1st Revised with Taka 2,659.33 crore, Establishment of 99 Composite Brigade for ensuring overall security to the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, 1st Revised with Taka 1,320.37 crore, Up gradation of Link Road-Laboni Circle Road into four lane with Taka 288.69 crore, Construction of 103.43 meter PC girder bridge on Aricha (Boraingial)-Gheor- Daulatpur-Tangail Road, 1st Revised with Taka 102.43 crore, Up gradation ofswitching and transmission network for strengthening digital connectivity with Taka 155.38 crore, and providing 19.5 lakh power connections through extending rural electrification, 1st Revised with Taka 8,690.89 crore.