National grid to get 700MW more power from July

State minister for power says at Baghabari

11 March 2009, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Pabna

State minister for power Shamsul Haque Tuku said 700 MW power will be added to the nation grid in July this year. “As part of the programme to mitigate power crisis in the country, work is on to generate power in Haripur, Baghabari and other power plants. We are hopeful to add 700 MW power in the national grid in July,” he said during a visit to Baghabari power plant and oil depots of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) on Tuesday. Stressing smooth fuel supply of oil for irrigation in the northern region, the state minister, also fuel and energy, said there is an alternative plan to ensure smooth fuel supply in Baghabari fuel depots through development of rail links. “Smooth power supply for irrigation will be ensured here through load management. Shops and business centres would be closed after 8:00pm as part of the programme,” he said. “Navigability problem in the Jamuna often hampers fuel supply in the northern region. We have already ordered the concerned authorities to keep navigability in the river for smooth fuel supply for irrigation in the region,” the state minister told high officials of PDB and BPC during the visit. “We have a plan to establish a rail link between Ullapara and Baghabari for fuel supply if the navigability problem cannot be solved,” he said. Expressing satisfaction after visiting the BPC oil depots in Baghabari, the state minister said there is no possibility of fuel crisis in this season. The Baghabari oil depots with a total of 33 thousand litre capacity now contain 30 thousand litres of oil. The demand of fuel for irrigation in the northern region in the summer season is 65 thousand litres.