The government has taken an initiative to install solar panels on the roofs of 49 union parishads in Cox’s Bazar, with the programme expected to generate around 26 megawatts of solar power across the district.
The initiative has a total allocation of Tk1.715 crore, with work targeted for completion by January 27 next year.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Abdur Mannan said solar panels would be installed in phases on suitable rooftops of union parishads, municipalities, executive engineers’ offices, the Local Government Engineering Department, the Department of Public Health Engineering, and haat-bazars and growth centres.
An 85-kilowatt solar panel system has already been installed on the roof of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, he said.
Of the district’s 71 unions, 49 have received allocations under the current programme. Each union has been allocated an average of Tk3.5 lakh.
The remaining 22 unions have been left out for now due to a lack of suitable infrastructure, but the district administration plans to install solar panels in all unions in phases.
Tk1.71 crore allocated for 49 unions
According to a notification from the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Tk1 crore 71 lakh 50 thousand was released on September 15 from a special allocation under the Union Parishad Development Assistance sector of the Annual Development Programme for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The notification mandates proper recording of the allocated funds for solar power in cashbooks, registers, and other relevant documents. The concerned drawing and disbursing officers will be held responsible for any irregularities.
The notification requires returning any unspent funds to the government treasury by June 30.
Unions covered by the programme
The 49 unions receiving allocations are Bamubilchhari, Baraitaltali, Surajpur-Manikpur, Chiringa, Dulahazara, Fasiakhali, Kaiarbil, Khutakhali and Laksharchar of Chakaria.
Paschim Bara Bheola, Konakhali and Bheola Manikchar of Matamuhuri, while Ujantia, Magnama, Rajakhali, Taitong and Shilkhali of Pekua.
Unions of Kutubdia included Ali Akbar Dail, Baraghop, Dakshin Dhurung, Kaiarbil, Lemshikhali and Uttar Dhurung, while those of Moheshkhali were Bara Moheshkhali, Kutubjom and Shaplapur.
Islamabad, Jalalabad, Jhilongjha, Khurushkul, PM Khali and Pokkhali of Cox’s Bazar Sadar and Eidgaon, where unions of Chakmarkul, Garjania, Eidgarh, Kachchapia, Khuniyapalong, Kawarekhop and Rashidnagar of Ramu.
Ukhiya’s unions included Haldia Palong, Jaliapalong, Rajapalong, Ratnapalong and Palongkhali, while Taknaf’s included Baharchara, Hnila, Saint Martin’s, Sabrang, Teknaf Sadar and Whykong.
The notification also states that each union parishad should select around 3,200 square feet of suitable rooftop space for installing solar panels.
Haldia Palong Union Parishad chairman Imrul Kayes Chowdhury said the initiative was timely and would reduce electricity costs while creating an opportunity to use environmentally friendly energy.
“This will help make the union parishad’s operations more sustainable and cost-effective,” he said.
Baharchhara Union Parishad chairman Amzad Hossain Khokon said using unused rooftops of government institutions to generate solar power was a positive initiative.
“It will reduce dependence on electricity to some extent and help meet part of the union parishad’s own demand. If the initiative is expanded to all government institutions in the future, the benefits will increase further,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan said rooftop solar panels could help meet part of local institutions’ electricity demand while also contributing to national power generation.
“There is also potential to feed surplus electricity into the national grid,” he said.
By Tarekur Rahman
Photo: Tarekur Rahman
