‘Power supply in northern region to be smooth in one month’

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resource Nasrul Hamid today said steps have been taken to bring northern region, especially Rangpur, under smooth power supply within one month.

“We have enough electricity. Power is being supplied from Sirajganj to Rangpur. Due to the unexpected incident, the northern region of Bangladesh may experience low voltage problems,” he told reporters at his ministry office in Dhaka.

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The state minister came up with the remarks following the recent disappearance of 1,42,000 tonnes of coal from Barapukuria coal mine, which forced shut down of the coal-based Barapukuria Power Plant last night.

“We request our consumers to keep patience for a month as necessary steps have been taken. We are sorry. People of northern area, particularly Rangpur, would face temporary crisis of power,” he said.

Replying to a query, Nasrul said the prime minister has already directed the authorities concerned to probe into the entire incident of the Barapukuria coal mine as the incident was being occurred from the very beginning of 2005.

“The investigation will find all the people involved in the incident. The prime minister urges all to keep patience for a short time,” he said.

Replying to another query, he said the state-run Petrobangla (Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation) failed to perform its due role in monitoring Barapukuria coal mine and its stock.

Nasrul said directive has been given to Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Ltd (BCMCL) for filing a case against the people involved in the incident.

He said an investigation report was submitted to the ministry in this regard.