High-voltage grid line approved for smooth power supply to Dhaka

The government Tuesday approved a high-voltage power grid line project, to be installed between Ashuganj and Bhulta, at a cost of Tk 8.53 billion to facilitate smooth and quality power supply to the capital city, officials said.
Presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) endorsed seven projects including the power grid line at a combined cost of Tk 13.53 billion.
Under the 'Ashuganj-Bhulta 400-kilovolt transmission line project', the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) will install the 70-kilometre transmission line to upgrade the country's power supply system, officials said.
Bangladesh's almost all the transmission grids are 230kv or below capacity ones for supplying electricity across the country.
Transmission lines of the PGCB up to July last stood at 3,066 circuit km of 230kv lines, 6,125 circuit km of 132kv lines and one number 400kv substation, 18 numbers of 230/132 kv substation and 88 nos of 132/33 kv substations.
The PGCB for the first time installed a 400 kv high-voltage line from Bheramara in Bangladesh to Baharampur in the Indian border for importing electricity from India. The grid is now transmitting power.
The company recently completed installation of a 53km-long 400kv line from Meghnaghat to Aminbazar aimed at supplying uninterrupted power to the capital city.
Another 170km high-voltage 400kv line from Bibiyana to Kaliakor is under installation by the PGCB.
Officials said the proposed Ashuganj-Bhulta power grid will be installed by June, 2017.
After the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the ECNEC Tuesday revised and approved the seven projects at a combined cost of Tk 13.53 billion where entire funds will be provided by the government and the implementing agencies from their own resources.
Among the six other approved projects, the ECNEC revised the setting up of fashion, training institute and basic centre project at Tk 34 million, project for building of 60 investigation centres of police across the country at Tk 1.74 billion, project for setting up of hostel for the blind children at Tk 549.3 million, projects for modernisation and strengthening of the Department of Inspection for Factories and establishment of nine district offices at a cost of Tk 725 million.
Besides, it approved the Madan-Khaliajhuri submergible road and bridge project at Tk 1.04 billion, and project for setting up of the Institute of Marine Technology (2nd phase) at a cost of Tk 554.8 million.
ECNEC members, high officials of the government and the Planning Commission were present at the meeting.

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