60,000 Ctg households to get prepaid gas meters
The Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) is going to install 60,000 prepaid gas meters in households of the port city by June 2018 under a project titled “Natural Gas Efficiency Project [Installation of Prepaid Gas Meter for KGDCL]”.
The installation will start from next month and initially 3,000 meters will be installed in Khulshi and Nasirabad areas, said the KGDCL officials.
They said both the government and clients will be benefited by the prepaid meters as the revenue collection will increase and clients will also get “hassle-free” service.
Also gas wastage will reduce to a great extent and illegal usage of gas will stop due to the automated service.
According to KGDCL, the company has around six lakh clients.
Project Director Khaiz Ahmed Majumder said KGDCL and Toyokeiki Company Limited of Japan signed a deal Tuesday in connection with the installation of the meters.
The Tk 246.56 crore project will be completed by June 30, 2018, he said, adding, the expected lifespan of the meters is approximately 20 years.
Chawk Bazar, Anderkilla, Sholashahor, Nasirabad, Khulshi, Chandgaon, Lalkhanbazar, Kazir Dewri, Panchlaish and Halishahar have been selected in the preliminary phase of the installation.
Initially, clients will not have to pay for the installation. The KGDCL will bear expenses, relevant fittings and pipeline for upto five meters.
He said the government will provide Tk 81.45 crore while Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) Tk 154.19 crore and KGDCL Tk 10.92 crore for the project.
The project will reduce the misuse of gas and clients will get hassle-free service in bill-payment, said Azizul Haque, deputy general manager (distribution) of KGDCL.
The billing would depend on the usage rather than monthly fixed rates, which would also discourage gas wastage, he added.
He said gas connection will not be snapped even if the balance is finished; emergency balance will be provided automatically and adjusted from further recharge. Also, booths will be opened in the areas for bill payment.