Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC) yesterday signed a contract with an Australian firm to conduct a feasibility study in the area under its jurisdiction to replace overhead power cables with underground ones. As per the deal, Energytron will do the job at a contract value of Tk 22.54 crore within the next one year.  The job includes conducting survey, feasibility study, preparing underground distribution system design, billing materials and estimating the cost to take the 132 kV, 33 kV, 11 kV and 11/0.4 kV electric cables underground.

Addressing the contract-signing ceremony held at the Biduyt Bhaban in the city, State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid said it will be a biggest challenge for the Australian firm as overhead power cables pass through very narrow locations in the DPDC area.

He also urged Energytron to complete the work in the stipulated time. "You should appoint very efficient people to do the job as the nature of the areas is different from Sydney or any other Australian city. So, it needs people having communicative skills to make proper design of the job," he said.

Nasrul Hamid urged all other power distribution utilities to take initiatives to replace overhead power cables with underground ones, saying the government has planned to turn Dhaka city into a developed one.  He said the entire power distribution system should go underground maintaining safety and security.  The state minister said China has offered a substantial fund to take the overhead cables underground. "If the project proves to be successful, the other utilities will be encouraged to do so," he said.

With DPDC chairman Shafiqullah in the chair, the function was also addressed by Power Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, PDB Chairman Khaled Mahmood and DPDC managing

director Bikash Dewan.