Tk 2,952cr plan to expand electricity in 3 CHT dists

 
The government, after a long interval, plans to expand electricity distribution across the three Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) districts to improve power access in one of the country’s least-developed regions.
According to BPDB, the three districts currently have only 191,723 electricity consumers.

For decades, the Chattogram Hill Tracts have lagged behind the rest of the country in infrastructure development because of its geographical disadvantage and political unrest, leaving large parts of the three hill districts without grid connectivity.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to finance the project titled “Extension of Power Distribution System Network in Three Hill Districts,” to strengthen climate-resilient electricity infrastructure in 26 upazilas across Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari, Power Division sources said.

The project is estimated to cost Tk 2,952 crore. Of the total, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is expected to provide Tk2,125 crore in loans, while the government will contribute Tk 446 crore and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will finance the remaining Tk371 crore.

If approved, the five-year project will be implemented by BPDB from July 2026 to June 2031 and is expected to provide grid electricity to about 88,586 new consumers in remote hill areas.

“The project has been undertaken as one of the new government’s priorities to ensure reliable electricity supply in the lagging hilly areas,” a senior said.

“It is the second phase of a similar project completed in 2022, as the first phase could not cover all the hilly areas,” he said. The project will extend electricity connections to households, schools, healthcare facilities and businesses in the districts, the official added.

In Rangamati, the paces include Rangamati Sadar, Kaptai, Kawkhali, Bilaichhari, Rajasthali, Juraichhari, Barkal, Langadu, Naniarchar and Baghaichhari.

In Bandarban, the connections will extend to Bandarban Sadar, Rowangchhari, Ruma, Thanchi, Lama, Alikadam and Naikhongchhari and in Khagrachhari, Khagrachhari Sadar, Dighinala, Panchhari, Laxmichhari, Mahalchhari, Matiranga, Guimara, Manikchhari and Ramgarh.