Prepaid gas meter installation in Ctg at a crawl as another deadline looms

Infographic: TBS

Concerns have arisen about a project to install 100,000 prepaid smart meters in Chittagong within the stipulated timeframe, as only 60,500 meters have been installed in three and a half years, despite a two-year extension of the deadline that ends in June.

Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) officials say they fear the project's completion might not be possible within the extended timeline due to its slow progress.

Customers are being provided with meters free of charge. However, landlords need to install a pipeline from the riser to each kitchen connection for the meter installation. 

This costs customers between Tk5,000-7,000 per burner. Additionally, many customers believe that installing meters will limit their ability to use gas freely. As a result, the installation of meters is facing challenges.

According to KGDCL data, applications for installing prepaid meters began on 14 February 2022. So far, 120,000 applications have been submitted. The installation process started on 16 January 2024. As of 8 January this year, 60,500 meters have been installed. 

However, despite submitting applications, the remaining customers are not accepting the meters. Even after public announcements through the media and SMS alerts to customers, there has been no positive response.

KGDCL Deputy General Manager and Project Director Md Nahid Alam told TBS, "We have the meters and the capability to install them, but customers are not proceeding with the installation." 

Explaining how KGDCL has been carrying out the installation of new gas meters, he said, "Currently, if a gas connection is suspended for any reason, it is being restored only after installing a smart meter." 

Nahid Alam said a decision is forthcoming regarding making the installation mandatory in the future.

Project started in 2021

In February 2021, KGDCL launched the project, titled "Prepaid Meter Installation Project for Residential Customers", to install 100,000 meters. The project was initially scheduled for completion by June 2023, with a budget of Tk241 crore. 

However, it took over two years just to appoint consultants and contractors. Meter installation eventually began on 16 January 2024. The project timeline was extended by two years, now set to conclude by June 2025, increasing the cost by an additional Tk50 crore. 

Funded entirely by KGDCL, the primary goals of the project are to prevent wastage of natural gas, ensure its efficient use and reduce overall consumption.

According to KGDCL officials, the advanced contactless smart card-based prepaid gas meter operates on battery power. It can automatically start or stop the gas supply via a regulator valve. Payment is required based on usage. 

In the event of a significant earthquake, the meter can automatically shut off the gas supply. Even if the recharged credit runs out, the gas supply is not immediately cut off; an emergency balance will be automatically provided. 

Various details, such as gas usage and meter-related information, are displayed on the meter's LCD screen.

According to KGDCL, the company has a total of 601,914 customer connections, of which 597,561 are residential connections, with the remainder serving industrial, commercial and other sectors. 

Demand for gas in Chattogram is approximately 32 crore cubic feet per day. The installation of 100,000 prepaid meters is expected to save 15 lakh cubic metres of gas per month, resulting in savings of Tk2.7 crore. 

Earlier, in 2015, 60,000 prepaid meters were installed at a cost of Tk247 crore, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.