Photo collage : BSS

By Md Mamun Islam
 
RANGPUR, Oct 5, 2025 (BSS) - By virtue of 100 percent rural electrification, locals have been able to establish some 50,000 power-run cottage, small and medium-scale enterprises, increasing macroeconomic performance in Rangpur division. 
 
"These power-driven enterprises are enriching the rural economy by increasing production and creating jobs and reducing poverty," said Superintending Engineer at Rangpur Zonal Office of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) Engineer Md Rezaul Karim.
 
BREB has provided over 40-lakh different types of power connections covering 1.50 crore people of around 37-lakh rural families through eight Palli Bidyut Samities both in the On-grid mainland and Off-grid riverine char areas of all eight districts in the division.
 
"The provided power connections include residential, commercial, charitable institutions, small and medium scale and cottage industries, about 800 large industries, one-lakh irrigation pumps in addition to street lights and other connections," he said.
 
Powered by rural electrification, local entrepreneurs are still continuing to establish more and more cottage, small and medium scale power-run industries and enterprises creating more jobs for unemployed rural youths.
 
"In fact, rural electrification has paved the way to set up industries and enterprises like a blessing, setting a milestone in improving quality of life, rural economy and livelihood of rural people," Engineer Karim said.
 
Currently, rural entrepreneurs are running power-run commercial establishments, cottage, small and medium industries and enterprises, agri- based and heavy industries while farmers are operating irrigation pumps in rural areas.
 
Talking to BSS, small-scale entrepreneur Anwarul Islam of village Chandanpat Matiyapara under Sadar upazila in Rangpur said he led a poor life with his wife and a son for years together.
 
"But, our life started changing since I set up a welding workshop 'Shishir Traders' at nearby Chandanpat Bazar and started welding works using electricity to earn better several years ago," he said.
Anwarul currently earns Taka 18,000 to 22,000 a month after paying monthly electricity bills ranging between Taka 1,800 and 2,200.
 
Shudha Ranjan of nearby village Matiyapara said he started running a small welding workshop at Chandanpat Bazar a few years ago using electricity.
 
"Now, I earn over Taka 25,000 a month to meet all demands of my family of five members," said a solvent Ranjan.
 
Entrepreneur Motiar Rahman of village Sreerampur in the same area runs a husking mill using electricity and crushes paddy at Chandanpat Bazar to earn Taka 25,000 monthly meeting all expenses.
 
Youth Kajol Barman of village Gopinathpur under Rangpur Sadar upazila said he worked at a tailoring shop in Rangpur city for six years.
 
"Taking the electricity supply facility, I set up a tailoring shop "Noya Selai Ghar" at Chalk Yusufpur Bazar near my village a few years ago," he said.
 
Kajol earns Taka 25,000 every month after meeting all expenses.
 
Farmer Ariful Haque Batul of village Najirdigar in Rangpur Sadar cultivates Boro rice and other crops on his seven acres of lands using own electricity-run irrigation pumps by virtue of rural electrification.
 
"I spend Taka 3,000 per acre of my sandy land for cultivating Boro rice using power-run irrigation pumps to reap more profits while other farmers spend up to Taka 10,000 per acre using fuel-run shallow tube wells for the purpose," he said.
 
Emdadul Haque of village Khaluapara in Sadar upazila was unemployed to lead a miserable life with his wife and three children ten years back.
 
"Taking loan from the Palli Sanchay Bank, I set up a small enterprise at nearby Paglapeer Bazar in Rangpur Sadar upazila 2010 to recharge batteries for auto rickshaws using electricity," Emdadul said.
 
Emdadul has expanded his enterprise now, employed three employees, constructed a semi-pucca house and he has five cows to lead an affluent life.
 
Dr Syed Samsuzzaman, Chairman of Northbengal Institute of Development Studies said rural electrification has become a blessing for rural people to flourish enterprises, industries and economic activities. 
 
"By virtue of electrification, many unemployed youths are getting jobs in private sector establishments to earn wages and lead a normal life improving their economic vulnerability index and life standard in rural areas," he added.