RANGPUR,  – More than 94 percent villages have been brought under electricity coverage in all eight districts of Rangpur division bringing a revolutionary change in rural economy and living standard of rural people.

Officials of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) at its Rangpur Zonal Office said 8,872 villages, 94.22 percent of total 9,414 villages, have
been brought under power supply networks in 55 upazilas of the division till June this year.

“We are working to bring the rest 542 villages under electricity coverage in the division tentatively by Aril next year,” Superintending Engineer
(Current Charge) at BREB’s Rangpur Zonal Office Engineer A B Mahmud Hossain said.

At the same time, BREB has completed cent percent power supply in 31 upazilas out of 55 and is working to bring 16 more upazilas under cent
percent power supply coverage by December this year and the rest by April next year in the zone.

“The BREB has completed construction of over 3.87-kilometre new power transmission and distribution lines, 40 sub-stations and other
infrastructures in last eleven years,” Engineer Hossain said.

Earlier in last 30-year period from 1978 to 2008, the BREB provided 5.94- lakh residential, industrial and other category of electricity connections
benefiting 6.21-lakh families in rural areas of Rangpur zone.

“In last eleven years from 2008 to 2019, we have provided 28.14-lakh similar power connections raising numbers of beneficiary families to 34.35-
lakh in Rangpur division,” he said.

The provided power connections in last eleven years include 25.16-lakh residential, 1.61-lakh commercial, 36,029 charitable institutions, 15,789
cottage industries, 570 large industries, 83,718 irrigation pumps, 941 streets lights and 129 other connections.

“Eight Palli Bidyut Samities of BREB under its Rangpur zone are working to make the government’s ‘Electricity for All’ initiative a success by bringing
every rural house, institution and establishment under electricity coverage,” Engineer Hossain added.

By virtue of massive infrastructural uplifts like setting up of power supply sub-stations, facilities and supply and distribution lines in last eleven years, Rangpur zone of BREB has a total capacity of providing 28.52- lakh power connections now.

Taking the advantage of rural electrification, entrepreneurs have established 16,359 power-run cottage and small and medium enterprises, agri-
based and heavy industries while farmers are operating irrigation pumps to increase food output in rural areas.

“The power-run enterprises and industries are thriving fast creating huge jobs for unemployed youths to cut poverty and improve living standard of
rural people boosting rural economy,” Hossain added.

Talking to BSS, Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md. Zakir Hossain lauded the enormous success achieved by BREB in bringing villages
under electricity coverage in last eleven years in Rangpur division.

“As a result, a revolutionary change has taken place in flourishing cottage, small and medium scale enterprises improving rural economy and economic vulnerability index and creating a stronger footage for turning every village into a town,” he added.

Talking to the national news agency, Anwarul Islam of village Matiyapara in Chandanpat union of Rangpur Sadar upazila said he has changed his life
after setting up a welding workshop at Chandanpat Bazar for welding works using electricity four years ago.

“Currently, I earn Taka 30,000 a month on an average after paying monthly electricity bills to lead better life with my wife Sheuly and our only minor
son Shishir,” Anwarul added.

Motiar Rahman of nearby village Sreerampur said he runs a husking mill using electricity and crushes paddy at Chandanpat Bazar to earn Taka 32,000 monthly meeting all expenses, including salaries of three workers.

Emdadul Haque of village Khaluapara in Rangpur Sadar upazila said he was unemployed to lead miserable life with his wife and three children twelve
years back.

“I set up a small enterprise eight years back at nearby Paglapeer Bazar to recharge batteries for auto rickshaws using electricity,” Emdadul said adding
that he is earning well to lead solvent life.