Since energy could not be ensured for a large part of the country, the expansion of industry in the south-west part has been impeded.
Relevant people say that people of these areas are being deprived of economic development.
At such a juncture, the government has taken an initiative to build a gas distribution network all over the country. The energy division will implement ten distribution lines and the initial cost has been set at Tk 118.62 billion.
At the beginning of April, the PM will have a meeting with energy division officials.
An official of the energy division, says, “The government wants development and once there is energy, entrepreneurs will develop new industry, ensuring jobs.”
It’s believed that to ensure gas, LNG import is the only option and for imports, two types of energy are being given importance – one is coal and the other is gas.
The government LNG import plan states that by 2035, LNG import will be raised to 5,000 million cubic feet.
From last year, a floating unit is giving gas to the national grid and another terminal is coming next month with 500 million cubic feet capacity.
In addition, a permanent LNG terminal will be constructed in Matarbari, Cox’s Bazar which will allow import of 1000 million cubic feet of gas.
The first unit is supposed to start in 2023 with the second arriving in 2030.
Another terminal with 1000 cubic feet capacity will be started in 2035 in Pyra port, Patuakhali.
MD of Gas Transmission Company Limited, GTCL, Md. Al Mmamun, says, “The issue of gas distribution network is being coordinated from the ministry and we will begin work once we get the directive.”
The ten new gas distribution lines include: Satkhira to Khulna, Langalband to Maoa, Jajira to Tekerhat, Khulna to Gopalganj, Bhola to Barishal, Khulna to Bagerhat, Pirojpur to Kjalokathi, Kutumpur to Bakhrabad and others.
Most of the work for these will end between 2022 and 2035.