Rangpur may get gas supply by June next year. The work of supplying gas through the pipeline has already been completed by 50 percent. Businessmen and industrialists are dreaming of an industrial revolution in the region once gas supplies begin.
Industrialists are eagerly waiting for gas in their purchased plots from Pirganj to Syedpur. They say the long-awaited gas has caused frustration among local industrialists. Due to lack of gas supply, heavy industries and factories have not developed here. This time that dream may be fulfilled.
According to Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL), the work of supplying gas through a pipeline from Bogra to Rangpur and Syedpur via Pirganj started in October 2018. The project is expected to be completed in June 2023 at an estimated cost of more than Tk 1368 crore. GTCL will spend Tk 10.03crore and the government will pay the rest. 305 acres of land has been acquired for gas supply through pipeline. Besides, 576.37 acres of land has been seized. Work is underway to lay 150 km of pipeline with a radius of 30 inches. Six rivers and two canals have to be crossed to supply this gas. The distance of these rivers and canals is two and a half kilometers.
Gas supply line work has been seen in Baldipukur area of Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur. Initially gas will be supplied to industrial plants. Homes may not have gas supply at the moment. However, the locals demanded to supply gas to the houses as well as the factories from the very beginning.
Khandaker Ariful Islam, Project Director of the Project, said the project is 50 percent complete. He hoped that the project would be completed by June next year.
Traders and industrialists are happy that the work of laying a gas pipeline in Rangpur division has started as promised by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The dream of the people of Rangpur was to get gas supply to this region. Locals hope that the supply of gas to the region, known as the backward zone, will reduce the production cost of new factories and industrial plants in the BSIC area as well as give a new impetus to the economy.
Mostafa Sohrab Chowdhury Titu Rangpur Chamber President said the implementation of the project would radically change the socio-economic condition of the region. Poverty inequality will be eliminated. Many local and foreign industrialists are waiting for gas to buy industrial plots along the highway from Pirganj in Rangpur to Syedpur.
Rezaul Islam Milon, president of the Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber, said an industrial revolution would take place in the region as soon as gas arrived. Besides, the socioeconomic condition will be radically changed through gas connection and a proposed special economic zone and BSIC Industrial Park on 1000 acres of land in Mahipur area of Gangachara in Rangpur .