APSCL in dire straits due to anomalies
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Our Correspondent
BRAHMANBARIA, Oct 12: Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL) is in dire straits due to years of corruption in the guise of overhauling and maintenance as well as poor management in technical side.
APSCL, the country's second largest power station, is a sister concern of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). The government transformed it to a company in 2003, and appointed a managing director, two directors and other officials for better management.
However, the steps brought no improvement, as the company's current production has been lower than its expected production.
At present, the power company is producing only 400-mw to 415-mw of electricity, whereas the production capacity of its eight units is 728-mw, unit1- 64mw, unit2- 64mw, unit3-150mw, unit4- 150mw, unit5- 150mw, GT1- 56mw, GT2- 56mw and ST-34mw.
Major overhauling of its unit-4 is going on. Other units are not running properly due to inefficient technicians, archaic machinery and other problems.
Sources said, the company's current performance is very poor due to lack of proper management.
In September 28, production of its all units was closed due to grid failure. So people of Brahmanbaria, Kishoregonj, Habiganj, Netrokona and Mymensingh areas did not get power more than 16 hours.
In this connection, BPDB formed a three-member investigation team led by Deputy General Manager of Power Grid Company Chowdhury Alamgir Hossain.
In October 4, production of its three units was closed due to technical fault of 33-kv line of APSCL's switchyard.
In October 9, its production was also closed due to explosion of circuit breaker. So, BPDB suspended APSCL's director (Technical) Engineer Nurul Alam. Company's General Manager Siddikur Rahman has joined as a Director (Technical).
Load shedding increases in Brahmanbaria severely. The people of the district have suffering much in the scorching heat in both day and night. The shopkeepers do not close their shops at 8:00 pm..
Ceaseless power outage has almost paralysed the normal life affecting the daily activities of people from all spheres and is causing loss to businessmen and production in mills and factories in the district, sources added.
The erratic power supply is also affecting water supply in upazila headquarters, treatment of patients in hospitals and clinics, work in banks, telephone exchange and educational institutions.
Local people have alleged power goes off three to four times a day in the district town and ten to fifteen times in upazila headquarters, even in many rural areas electricity goes off for the whole day or night.
Production in mills and factories declined and a good number of industrial units of BSCIC Industrial Area in the district are facing closure due to the erratic power supply causing massive loss to their owners.
Household equipment including television, computer, bulbs, fans, refrigerators, etc. are often damaged due to regular voltage fluctuation.
Local people urged the government to take necessary steps immediately to run the power station properly to ensure regular supply of power for boosting economic activities of the country.
BRAHMANBARIA, Oct 12: Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL) is in dire straits due to years of corruption in the guise of overhauling and maintenance as well as poor management in technical side.
APSCL, the country's second largest power station, is a sister concern of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). The government transformed it to a company in 2003, and appointed a managing director, two directors and other officials for better management.
However, the steps brought no improvement, as the company's current production has been lower than its expected production.
At present, the power company is producing only 400-mw to 415-mw of electricity, whereas the production capacity of its eight units is 728-mw, unit1- 64mw, unit2- 64mw, unit3-150mw, unit4- 150mw, unit5- 150mw, GT1- 56mw, GT2- 56mw and ST-34mw.
Major overhauling of its unit-4 is going on. Other units are not running properly due to inefficient technicians, archaic machinery and other problems.
Sources said, the company's current performance is very poor due to lack of proper management.
In September 28, production of its all units was closed due to grid failure. So people of Brahmanbaria, Kishoregonj, Habiganj, Netrokona and Mymensingh areas did not get power more than 16 hours.
In this connection, BPDB formed a three-member investigation team led by Deputy General Manager of Power Grid Company Chowdhury Alamgir Hossain.
In October 4, production of its three units was closed due to technical fault of 33-kv line of APSCL's switchyard.
In October 9, its production was also closed due to explosion of circuit breaker. So, BPDB suspended APSCL's director (Technical) Engineer Nurul Alam. Company's General Manager Siddikur Rahman has joined as a Director (Technical).
Load shedding increases in Brahmanbaria severely. The people of the district have suffering much in the scorching heat in both day and night. The shopkeepers do not close their shops at 8:00 pm..
Ceaseless power outage has almost paralysed the normal life affecting the daily activities of people from all spheres and is causing loss to businessmen and production in mills and factories in the district, sources added.
The erratic power supply is also affecting water supply in upazila headquarters, treatment of patients in hospitals and clinics, work in banks, telephone exchange and educational institutions.
Local people have alleged power goes off three to four times a day in the district town and ten to fifteen times in upazila headquarters, even in many rural areas electricity goes off for the whole day or night.
Production in mills and factories declined and a good number of industrial units of BSCIC Industrial Area in the district are facing closure due to the erratic power supply causing massive loss to their owners.
Household equipment including television, computer, bulbs, fans, refrigerators, etc. are often damaged due to regular voltage fluctuation.
Local people urged the government to take necessary steps immediately to run the power station properly to ensure regular supply of power for boosting economic activities of the country.