Southern people getting 400 kv transmission line

Staff Correspondent: Southern people of the country are set to get a high capacity 400 kV transmission line along with an improved communication system through the Padma Bridge project. Seven separate pillars are being set up two kilometers downstream from the bridge. The pillars are being built with the cost of Tk 12,000 crore allocated for the main bridge. The work is expected to be completed by the end of next year.  The southern districts including Barishal, Patuakhali, Bhola and Payra ports are going to get this high voltage 400 KV power connection. Power will go to those districts from Ashuganj, Siddhirganj power station by crossing Padma river. However, as it is not possible to draw 400 kV high voltage line in the steel structure of Padma Bridge, seven electricity poles are being installed separately 2 km downstream from the main bridge. These pillars are being made for the power department with the powerful hammer that has been brought to Bangladesh for piling the bridge. The piling work of all the pillars has been completed after the soil test in June last year. Concreting work of 32 out of 36 poles has also been completed. The bridge department hopes that the entire work can be handed over to the power department by December next year. Bridge Secretary Belayet Hossain said, “We have been requested by the power department to complete it by April. However, seeing the real progress, I think it will take more time to complete the work of the power line. We hope to be able to complete the work by December 2021.” A total of 36 poles are being installed on seven pillars of the Padma Bridge at the bottom of the river. There will be 830 meters distance between two pillars.