RANGPUR, Dec 26 (BSS): The Rural Electrification Board (REB) has brought 8,539 villages of Rangpur division under electricity coverage in last ten years improving human resources, rural economy and life-style of the rural people.
After the rural electrification, entrepreneurs are establishing power-run cottage, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and agro-based industries creating jobs while farmers operating irrigation systems to increase food production at reduced costs.
"We have already brought 8,539 villages, 88.85 per cent of total 9,611 villages, under electricity coverage in the division while the other 1,072 villages will get power supply soon," Superintending Engineer (Current Charge) at REB's Rangpur Zonal Office Manabendra Lal Mustafi said.
The REB has completed cent per cent power supply to 30 upazilas out of 54 under its Rangpur zone in the division while the process is running smoothly to bring the other 24 upazilas under cent per cent electricity coverage.
"Constructions of 26,261 km new power transmission and distribution lines, 32 sub-stations and other infrastructures were completed by REB spending Tk 43.76 billion under nine projects in last ten years," Mr Manabendra said.
Following massive infrastructural uplifts, setting up of sub-stations, facilities and supply and distribution lines in last ten years, Rangpur zone of REB has a capacity of providing total 3.45 million power connections now in all eight districts of the division.
Earlier in last 30-year period from 1978 to 2008, 0.61 million residential, industrial and other category of electricity connections were given benefiting 0.51 million families in rural areas of 54 upazilas in Rangpur REB zone.
"In last ten years from 2008 to 2018, we have provided 18.40 lakh similar power connections raising numbers of total given connections to 2.42 million and beneficiary families to 3.0 million now in Rangpur division," he said.
The provided power connections in last ten years include 2.14 million residential, 0.14 million commercial, 29,441 charitable institutions, 15,402 cottage industries, 530 large industries, 81,763 irrigation pumps, 841 street tights and 1654 other connections.
