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Rangpur region awaits industrial gas supply


Published : 06 Feb 2023 09:06 PM

Even at a time when the breeze of industrialization is taking the country to unique heights, the industry of Rangpur region is lagging behind. Even after the drought is gone, the large industry of the region is always lagging behind. The main reason for which is lack of natural gas, one of the raw materials of large industries.

The people of this part of the north have been demanding for a long time to solve this limitation. In February 2020, ECNEC was approved for the project titled 'Construction of gas distribution pipeline network in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Pirganj city and adjoining areas'. Since then, the wait began around this dream project.

Finally gas is coming, already 140 km. Pipeline construction work has been completed. Currently construction is going on for CGS-TBS and river crossing line.

Under this project, contract has been signed with EPC based foreign contractor for crossing 6 rivers and 2 canals by HDD method. Contractors have mobilized machinery to the project site.

Under the project, a City Gate Station (CGS) with a capacity of 100 mmscfd at Syedpur, a Town Border Station (TBS) with a capacity of 50 mmscfd at Rangpur and a Town Border Station (TBS) with a capacity of 20 mmscfd at Pirganj are in progress under the project.

Under the project, the proposal of land acquisition and land occupation of 10 upazilas of Bogura, Gaibandha, Rangpur and Nilphamari districts has been approved by the Ministry of Lands and the subsequent activities of land acquisition and occupation have been taken up by the concerned district administration.

Meanwhile, against the final estimate of land acquisition, Shibganj upazila of Bogura district, Bogura Sadar upazila, Pirganj, Taraganj and Badarganj upazilas of Rangpur district and Syedpur upazila of Nilphamari district have been fully paid.

The process of issuing notices under Section 8 against land acquisition and Section 20 against land encroachment is still ongoing.

Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) said that the actual progress of the project is 65 percent and the financial progress is 60.31 percent.

Separate projects for construction of distribution lines are also progressing. 100 km distribution line will be under this separate project. Which will be 44 km in Rangpur city, 10 km in Pirganj and 46 km in Nilphamari and Uttara EPZ areas.

Bogura-Rangpur-Syedpur gas transmission pipeline construction project director Khandkar Ariful Islam said that work is underway to build a gas supply network to various factories in Syedpur, Uttara EPZ of Nilphamari, Pirganj and Rangpur. Gas will be supplied to Rangpur through Rangpur station. Apart from this, the gas will go to Uttara EPZ and surrounding districts with the help of the station in Syedpur. Filling stations and CNG stations will also get these facilities. And if the government gives the opportunity, gas will also go to homes.

He also said that the work started in 2018 was supposed to be completed in June 2022 but due to the interruption due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the duration of the project has been extended till June this year. However, the construction cost of this project of Tk 1,378 crore will not increase.