State Minister for Power Iqbal Hassan Mahmood told newsmen after a four-hour meeting with local officials of Power Development Board (PDB) in Chittagong yesterday.

The minister said the government is implementing the Greater Chittagong Power Supply Project (3rd phase) at a cost of Tk 850 crore to solve huge power crisis facing the southeastern region.

It is expected that after completion of the project in 2007, there will be uninterrupted power supply in the region.

Turning to the Chittagong city mayor's plea for construction of 14 power stations, the state minister said, "It is not the task of the city corporation. It's not possible to permit the city mayor keeping aside existing rules and regulations".

At yesterday's meeting, the minister also asked the officials concerned to submit demand notes for necessary spare parts and equipment so that the troubled-power stations can function smoothly until finishing the ongoing 3rd phase project.

The minister told newsmen that the government was going to arrange power census soon in divisional cities incorporating students of college and universities.

PDB Chairman ANH Akhter Hossain and Regional Chief Engineer Kazi Basir Uddin Ahmed, among others, were present.