Some 50,000 consumers under Betka power sub-station in Tangail have been suffering from frequent load shedding for quite a long time, since the installation of a new power transformer has yet to become a reality.
According to local sources, the Power Development Board has been providing 43,787 consumers with electricity from Betka power sub-station through the Alenga feeder, Ainapur feeder, City feeder, Housing feeder, Zila Sadar feeder, Nalua feeder and VIP Hospital feeder.
Many consumers, who are supposed to get electricity from these feeders, said they were experiencing three to four hours of load shedding every day, disrupting their regular lives.
Sources at Betka power sub-station said the station was getting 18 megawatts of electricity daily, whereas the demand is for 25 megawatts every day.
Nepal Chandra Sarker, sub-assistant engineer of 132/33 KV grid sub-station in Boilla, told the Dhaka Tribune that they were capable of supplying 25 megawatts of electricity, but the Betka sub-station only has the capacity to receive 18 megawatts.
Sources said two power transformers, with 10 megawatt capacity each, that had been set up four years back, are overloaded.
The transformers become over heated while running at full capacity. To keep the transformers cool, fans have been set up beside the transformers, and sometimes, water is sprayed on them to keep the machines cool.
A new transformer with 10 megawatt capacity has been brought to the sub-station a year back with a view to increase the capacity of the power station, but the authority concerned has yet to install the transformer.
There was an allegation that a contractor company, Shapla Enterprise, which was entrusted with the installation of the transformer has already taken 80% of the money but has yet to follow through with their commitment.
Speaking on the progress in setting up the transformer, Md Sahadat Ali, executive engineer (seals and distribution division-1) of the PDB, said the transformer will be set up under the supervision of the Japan International Corporation Agency.
Nurul Islam, owner of Shapla Enterprise, said: “almost 80% of the installation work has been done. Seven more days will be needed to complete the setup of the power transformer.”
But during a visit to the sub-station on Thursday this correspondent found that the new power transformer was laying idle. Seeking anonymity some PDB employees said it would take a minimum of two months to complete the remaining work.