The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Four more power distribution companies are likely to come into operation from early next year.

The companies are North West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (NWZPDC), South Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (SZPDC), Central Zone Power Distribution Company (CZPDC) and East Zone Power Distribution Company ltd (EZPDC).

The caretaker government has already created these new entities as public limited companies (PLCs) to run the power distribution business commercially under corporate management.

A senior official of the Power Ministry said the companies were created under an institutional reform programme called "3-year Roadmap for Power Sector."

He said that as per design of the caretaker government, all the four companies would come into operation from January next.

The existing distribution areas of the Power Development Board (PDB) would be given to the new companies for their operation, the official informed.

Among the new PLCs, NWZPDC headquartered in Rajshahi will operate in the north-western region while SZPDC based in Barisal will operate in the southern region.

Similarly, the CZPDC based in Mymensingh will operate in the central region covering Mymensinh, Jamalpur, Tangail and some other districts.

Likewise, the EZPDC with headquarters in Chittagong will operate in the Chittagong and Sylhet region.

According to official sources, the Power Ministry has already appointed managing directors and some other top officials to the three new PLCs on contract basis, while the appointment of a managing director to the EZPDC is under process.

Earlier, the previous government created Dhaka Power Supply Company ltd (DESCO), Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC) and West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (WZPDC).

Among them, DESCO and DPDC are operating in the Dhaka city and adjoining areas, while WZPDC operating in Khulna, Faridpur and adjoining districts.