Ctg power upgrade work marred by anomalies

A government evaluation of power distribution development work in Chattogram division has identified irregularities. The evaluation, by the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), found that some 4,312 transformers were purchased and left outdoors even before land was acquired to build the electricity poles.
This resulted in the transformers exceeding their warranty period and becoming faulty or less effective by the time they were installed, according to the evaluation report.
The IMED report also identified nearly half a dozen other major anomalies.
These included payments being made to a consultancy firm before construction records were completed, electricity poles being erected with cracks, and many of them becoming tilted. Moreover, earthing lines were found missing from some stretches of the completed work.
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (DPDB) -- the agency responsible for implementing the project -- has defended its handling of the project, which covers power distribution line works across 11 upazilas in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Bandarban districts.
The project, officially named 'Upgradation of Power Distribution System at Chittagong Zone (2nd phase)', was approved in 2018 with an initial cost of Tk 25.52 billion. The Power Development Board was scheduled to complete it by June 2022. However, due to delays and irregularities, the deadline has been pushed back to June 2025, while the cost has increased to Tk 26.01 billion.
Buying transformers before
securing land
The IMED's in-depth evaluation found that the Power Development Board violated the project proposal's (DPP) timeline.
In the first year (FY2019-20), the BPDB purchased 3,812 (250kv) and 500 (50kv) transformers before securing land to install them. This resulted in the valuable transformers being left exposed, violating storage protocols and security guidelines.
The evaluation report said many transformers became unusable before installation due to improper storage. The IMED investigation team said the BPDB failed to install the transformers within the 2-year warranty period, causing them to lose efficiency and some to become faulty.
An independent consulting firm, appointed by IMED, evaluated the project in 2023 -- nearly five years after its inception in FY2019. The evaluation was based on a field survey.
A senior IMED official said the authorities had procured various electrical equipment, including transformers, without proper planning. This indiscriminate procurement caused delays and hindered project implementation.
Another official said the equipment's efficiency had also decreased or been lost due to remaining unused for 2-3 years after purchase.
Project Director Engineer Md Shamsuddin acknowledged some faults and shortcomings in project management and works. He said he had addressed those issues when brought to his attention.
Consulting firm paid before completing work
Initiated in 2018, the power distribution project is meant to upgrade the electricity distribution system in 11 upazilas across the Chattogram division.
The IMED evaluation found that the BPDB had installed 980km of new distribution lines, rehabilitated 634km of existing lines, and built 33,420 concrete poles. However, the consulting firm had not completed the "as-built" record for these works.
Despite the incomplete "as-built" work, the BPDB had already paid the consulting firm, the evaluation added.
An "as-built" drawing is a document created by a contractor during construction. It outlines any changes made to the original plans and shows the final dimensions, location and geometry of the completed work.
While the BPDB installed 980 km of new lines and rehabilitated 634 km of existing lines, the consulting firm did not complete the "as-built" drawings for these works, said the report.
The report also noted that the firm had billed the project for "as-built" work on a larger section of 2,708.76 km of distribution lines.
Patchy power work
The IMED evaluation found damage and cracks on the top of some concrete poles. Besides, the report mentioned that contractors had installed poles without properly constructed bases, causing some to tilt and become vulnerable to accidents.
The evaluation also identified issues with conductor installation, low-tension (LT) racks, earthing systems and other defects of the distribution lines.
The project witnessed frequent changes in leadership. Four project directors (PDs) have been assigned, with the fourth currently overseeing the work.
Power Division officials acknowledged delays in land acquisition as a key factor. A meeting of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) was held in 2021 in this regard.
The PSC, chaired by the Power Division Secretary, sought clarification from the then-PD regarding the advance purchase of equipment (including transformers) before land acquisition was finalised.
The committee also requested an in-house feasibility study before revising the project due to potential shortcomings in the original project proposal (DPP), said multiple Power Division officials on condition of anonymity.
Corrected the mistakes: PD says
On the anomalies identified in the IMED report, Project Director Md Shamsuddin said they had rectified the issues with tilted poles and faulty lines.
"A small number [one or two] of poles were tilted, and some were damaged during the installation of the electricity lines," Mr Shamsuddin said. "We immediately corrected these problems upon discovery."
He denied the IMED's claim of advance payments to the consulting firm.
"As-built drawings are created after the completion of line installation," he said. "We never pay contractors or consultants before works are finished."
Regarding the advance purchase of transformers and the expired warranties, Mr Shamsuddin admitted the issue but downplayed its significance.
"While the warranty has expired, most transformers have been installed on the distribution lines in recent months," he said. "Only a few remain unused, and these will be installed soon."
In response to the IMED report, Mr Shamsuddin said the BPDB took a constructive approach and addressed the identified shortcomings and mismanagement.
He claimed the project had achieved around 57 per cent physical progress as of March and sounded optimistic about meeting the revised June 2025 deadline.
He cited the impact of Covid pandemic as one of the reasons for the project's delay.

[email protected]