Supply of gas to Rajshahi through pipeline uncertain

Mar 12: Work for the installation of 333-km pipeline in Rajshahi for the supply of gas is expected to be completed by 2011. But there has been an uncertainty about the availability of gas through the pipeline in view of shortage of production of gas in the country.
The four-party alliance government with the financial assistance of Asian Development Bank (ADB) undertook the project of installing gas pipeline in Rajshahi at a cost of Taka 200 crore. The project was aimed at supplying gas to household affairs and setting up gas based industries in Rajshahi.
The propjet was approved in a meeting of Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ACNEC) on July 12, 2006. The cost of the project was estimated at Taka 112.62 crore, the major portion of which was sanctioned by ADB. Of the 333-km pipeline, 53-km pipeline covers Natore- Rajshahi and 280-km Rajshahi city.
 The work for the installation of 53-km pipeline from Bonpara up to Rajshahi city would involve the cost of Taka 161 crore.
 According to Petrobangla, after completion of the installation of the 333-km pipeline, 4.50 crore cubic feet of gas could be supplied to Rajshahi a day through this pipeline.
According to sources in Gas Transport Company Limited (GTCL), the work for the installation of pipeline up to Rajshahi is going on. The work for the installation of pipeline is expected to be completed by 2011.
The dwellers of Rajshahi city became frustrated when they came to know that the supply of gas to Rajshahi would come in the next September-October and that the gas could be used only for household affairs. There would be late for the supply of gas to be used for industries.
State Minister for Power Brigadier (retd) Enamul Huq is sincere regarding completing the installation of pipeline quickly and the subsequent availability of gas in Rajshahi.
 Assistant Sub-Engineer of Western Gas Company Anwar Hossain Majumder said the installation of pipeline in Rajshahi city is being done on rallying system.
The Rajshahi City dwellers regretted that Rajshahi could not be brought under industrialisation even after the opening of the Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge. Despite availability of labour at cheaper cost, no new industries were set up in Rajshahi due to gas and power crisis. Most of the mills and factories including silk industry were closed down on that account.
The dwellers of Rajshahi city expected that availability of gas through pipeline would help grow industries in Rajshahi. But their expectation has been dashed to the ground due to the fact there has been an uncertainty about availability of gas through pipeline.   
  Now the availability of gas in Rajshahi has become uncertain for shortage of production of gas in the country. The country’s daily demand for gas is 220 crore cubic feet against its production of 190 to 195 cubic feet a day.
 There has been a deficit of 25 crore cubic feet of gas in the country a day.
 The officials of Petrobangla say, the country’s daily demand for gas would exceed 300 crore cubic feet by the 2012-13 fiscal year. Demand for gas would be more if its demand of Rajshahi through pipeline is added.
 According to Petrobangla, the maximum production of gas in the country would be 229.70 crore cubic feet in 2011 while the production would be 279.50 crore cubic feet in 2012.
In the circumstances, there has been an uncertainty about the supply of gas to Rajshahi after the completion of installation of pipeline there.     

Courtesy of The Independent