Six out of 10 districts of Khulna division will come under gas supply through pipeline by the end of 2011.

Disclosing this Project Director of Sundarban Gas Company Ltd (SGCL) Md Kamal Uddin told The Daily Star that implementation of the South-Western Gas Distribution Project is expected to start in November this year.

Once the project gets final nod from the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec), which is likely next month, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be approached for release of its committed fund for this projrct, he said.

The ADB has committed to provide Tk 280 crore out of Tk 643 crore required to implement first phase of the project. And Tk 363 crore would come from the government fund, the SGCL project director mentioned.

In the first phase, a 901-km long pipeline would be laid in six districts -- Khulna, Bagerhat, Kushtia, Jhenidah, Chuadanga and Jessore.

Four other districts--Satkhira, Magura, Narail and Meherpur-- would be brought under the poject in the second phase, Kamal Uddin said.

Estimates of fund needed for the second phase, and its implementation period are yet to be finalised.

Meanwhile, Petrobangla has started preliminary work for installing a 30-inch diameter pipeline from Ashuganj to Bheramara.

Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque said gas supply would largely contribute to economic development of south-western region in particular and the country in general.

President of Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee Liakat Ali hoped that gas supply would encourage both local and foreign investors to set up industries in this region, and help reopening of closed mills and healthy operation of sick ones.