State owned Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Ltd (KGDCL) will install more one lakh gas prepaid meters to domestic consumers in the port city Chattogram with its own fund. The project work is expected to begin from July next and likely to be completed by June 2023, sources said.
After installing 60 thousand domestic gas meters under the first phase of the project, KGDCL has proposed one lakh prepaid gas meters with own funding. Prepaid gas meter has become popular among the domestic gas consumers due to austerity in gas consumption.
The installation of two lakh gas meters under the second phase faced a thaw due to lack of foreign assistance. The KGDCL has taken the third project for installing one lakh meters with own funding.
Managing Director of KGDCL Khaiz Ahmed Majumder told media that prepaid meters became very popular among the consumers because it is one of the austerity steps. Domestic consumers are very careful while using prepaid gas meters, he added. The project proposal of the third project for installing one lakh meters with own finance will be sent to ministry concerned next month, the MD said.
Following the approval of the ministry, the project proposal will be presented before the next ECNEC meeting for finalization of the project work, the source added. The KGDCL chief also hoped that the primary process for starting installation will be ended by June next. Estimated cost of the project is TK. 258 crores.
Under this project, gas meters will be installed in Baizid, Chandgaon, Panchalaish, Chowkbazar, Pahartali, Khulshi, Bakalia, Sadarghat, Kotwali, Halishahar, Doublemooring, Bandar, EPZ, Patenga, Akbarshah, Karnaphuli, Hathazari, Sitakunda, Patiya, Boalkhali, Chandanaish and Anowara areas.
Average monthly cost of a prepaid gas meter user is around taka 400 to 500, whereas a non-prepaid meter household user is paying Tk 975 for two burners. Officials said the main features of the prepayment system are easy payment of gas bill, easy access to information, improved customer service, uninterrupted security and protection in using gas, and conservation of natural gas for future generations by using the latest prepaid cards.
Bills of the prepaid meters will be paid through mobile banking of Bkash, Sure Cash and Rocket. Prepaid consumers will have advantages of purchasing prepaid cards from POS Station (point of sales) for recharging the meters, sources said.
