The government has cleared a new rural electrification project to provide 2.5 million new connections to meet the growing demand for power.
Published : 01 Jun 2016, 12:11 AM
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC)’s regular meeting on Tuesday approved the Tk 12.28-billion project with the goal to finish it within 2018, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said.
At a press briefing after the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Kamal said, the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will provide more than Tk 7.71 billion of the total cost as project assistance.
The government will provide the rest from the national exchequer for the project, which will be executed by the Rural Electrification Board (REB).
The REB currently provides power to 15 million people across the country.
Citing an REB research, the minister said, “Supplying power to new 2.5 million subscribers is possible by only changing transformers and there will be no need to set up new electric supply line.”
The ECNEC on Tuesday approved total six development projects, including the rural electrification project, with an outlay of more than Tk 27.44 billion.
Mustafa Kamal said the government will provide more than Tk 11.54 billion of the total cost while the remaining Tk 15.90 billion will come as project assistance.
The five other projects are – two Emergency 2007 Cyclone Recovery and Restoration projects, Teesta Barrage Project (2nd phase), Right Embankment Protection of Teesta River in Rangpur Sadar and Gangacharha Upazilas and Establishment of BCS Economy Academy project.