The Sylhet Electricity Development Board has undertaken a project for underground power supply in the city upashahar area, which aims to improve power supply situation in the city within the next three years. Work on the project is expected to start in January this year and end in December 2018. Officials said the project, whose estimated cost is Tk. 15 crore, is being financed by the government from its own funds. Under the project, a 33 and 11kv power line will be installed and a new line of 400 volt and 15 sub-stations will be set up for the 33 and 11kv power line, apart from upgrading all old lines to new ones. The modern high tech-based high-voltage transmission lines and sub-stations will start operations within the next three years. The project has already been approved by the cabinet ministry and is awaiting a final nod from the concerned ministry. Officials hope that the project will play a vital role in addressing low voltage and load-shedding problems being faced by people in the uposhohor areas for a long time. Prince Ahmed, a resident of the upashahar area, said, “We are very happy about the underground power supply project. After the line is supplied, we hope we will get smooth flow of electricity.” Like Ahmed, many others staying in upashahar areas are happy with the development.
Project Secretary and Executive Engineer of Sylhet Electricity Distribution Board-2, Nozrul Islam, said that people used to suffer a lot in the rainy season. After installation of the underground power line, people will not face so many problems and will get smooth supply of electricity.
Chief Engineer of Sylhet Power Development Board and Project Convener, Ratan Kumar Bishwash, said that the present government is working towards development of power and the project was undertaken to improve Sylhet’s power supply. After implementation, people will get modern power supply facilities.