Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited plans for the first time to install 60,000 prepaid gas meters for its customers in the Chittagong metropolitan area to reduce the misuse of gas and prevent bill manipulation through meter tampering.
Under the natural gas efficiency project funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency prepaid meters will be installed by June 2019, Managing Director of Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) Meer Md Abdul Motin told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
The estimated project cost is around Tk250 crore.
The KGDCL has already invited expression of interest (EOI) from eligible international consulting firms and joint ventures for consultancy services for installation of the prepaid gas meters.
The last date for EOI submission is August 18 this year.
The KGDCL intends to employ a consulting firm to design and prepare bid documents, carry out bid evaluation, monitor and assess project activities including construction supervision as well as provide advisory services for the project implementation, added Motin.
On the other hand, on May 20, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited and Singapore-based Itron Metering Systems Singapore Pte Ltd signed a deal for the installation of 8,600 household prepaid meters in the capital’s Lalmatia and Mohammadpur areas.
Besides, Titas Gas plans to install 200,000 prepaid gas meters for its customers in the Dhaka metropolitan area.
On January 11, 2012, some 4,500 prepaid gas meters were installed in houses in Mohammadpur and Lalmatia areas under the pilot project.