Electricity to connect isolated Rangabali upazila through sub-marine cables

Rangabali upazila, formed on February 5, 2012 comprising five unions, is isolated from the mainland.

The upazila, which is surrounded by several big rivers adjoining the sea including Agunmukha and Ramnabad, has not had electricity connection so far.

Solar panels and generators were the source of powerfor about two lakh residents of the upazila. The Rural Electrification Board (REB) has brought the residents of the upazila under the connection of electricity laying submarine cables through the bottom of three separate rivers. About 23,000 consumers will get the much-desired electricity connection by August 15.

A sub-station with a capacity of 10 MW has been constructed in Gahinkhali area to provide uninterrupted power supply to the upazila. A 320-kilometre-long distribution line and seven-kilometre-long sub-marine line have already been laid. As a result, about 23,000 consumers of Char Montaz, Rangabali, Chhota Baishadia, Boro Baishadia and Chalitabunia unions of the upazila are coming under the purview of electricity.

Of these, about 7,000 connections are being provided in Char Montaz Union, about 6,000 in Rangabali, about 4,000 in Chhota Baishdia, 5,000 in Bara Baishdia and 1,000 in Chalitabunia.

Mizanur Rahman Taslim, a resident of Kaciabunia village in Rangabali union, said, "We have been deprived of electricity for so long due to being cut off by the river.

Now that I am getting electricity, my children will be benefitted in various ways including education."

General Manager of Patuakhali REB Md Razzakur Rahman said construction of sub-station and distribution line has been completed to provide electricity connection in isolated Rangabali Upazila.

"We hope that by August 15, about 23,000 consumers of the upazila will get their much-desired electricity connection. This will lead to socio-economic development of the area," he added.

Rangabali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mashfaqur Rahman said that development activities were being hampered due to lack of electricity for so long. After the electrification of the whole upazila, the life and livelihood of the people here will be greatly improved. Small industries will develop. Employment will increase and unemployment will decrease, he added.