State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that the underground distribution system will significantly contribute to improving uninterrupted power quality and customer service. The plan includes transitioning overhead distribution lines to underground systems in major cities, including Dhaka, as part of efforts to create smarter cities with intelligent power distribution, transmission, and production systems.

Nasrul made the remarks while inspecting the progress of the underground distribution system in Dhaka's Dhanmondi area on Thursday. He emphasized that the demand for electricity continues to rise, resulting in a proliferation of electric poles that impact the city's aesthetics. Transitioning to an underground distribution system is deemed essential .In the pursuit of a smarter Bangladesh, comprehensive improvements are being made to the management of electricity and energy, he said.

The minister also urged customers to use electricity and fuel judiciously. Notably, 34 roads in the Dhanmondi area, spanning from Mirpur Road in the East to Sat Masjid Road in the West, and Road-27 in the North to Road-01 in the South, will have their overhead distribution lines converted into underground lines. The current electricity demand for this area is approximately 30MW, and the underground power system is designed to accommodate anticipated load growth over the next 25 years.

This project involves the installation of around 270 RMUs (High Voltage Connection and Interconnection), 36 box-type transformers, 130 LV boxes (Low Voltage Connection), and approximately 100 kilometers of cables. The cost of converting overhead distribution lines to underground lines in the Dhanmondi area is Tk350 crore. The completion date for this project is set for December 2024. Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) Managing Director Bikash Dewan said that the conversion of overhead distribution lines to underground lines in the Dhanmondi area is ongoing. “Eight roads have already completed the transition, while 11 more roads are in the process. The project is expected to be fully implemented within the next year,” he said.

News Link: Nasrul: Underground distribution system to enhance power quality, customer service