The stage is all set for supply of pipeline natural gas to the households and industries in Rajshahi after gas was successfully pumped to the city from the national grid on Sunday night.
“We have taken gas to Rajshahi. It is now available at the City Gate Station,” Ariful Islam, manager of Gas Transmission Company Limited, told The Daily Star yesterday.
Gas was supplied through the City Gate Station of Pashchimanchal Gas Company Limited (PGCL) at Kharkhari area in the city.
“We are ready to start whenever the government gives the go-ahead,” said Rezaul Karim, general manager (marketing) of PGCL.
Contacted, Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman said gas supply is likely to start in a month or two.
The Tk 112 crore Rajshahi gas supply project was approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council in July 2006. The expenditure was later revised to Tk 105 crore.
Although the project was initially scheduled to complete by June 2009, it took longer due to delay in release of funds and complexities related to installing gas pipelines in rivers. Finally it was completed last year.