29 electrical transformers stolen in Goalanda in a year
In the Goalanda upazila of Rajbari, incidents of electrical transformer theft have increased at an alarming rate. In the last one year, at least 29 transformers have been stolen from different areas of the upazila. This is causing extreme anxiety and panic among farmers, businessmen and general consumers. Farmers are facing huge losses due to transformer theft, especially during the Boro-Eri irrigation season. In addition, incidents of theft of electrical wires, fans and other equipment are also increasing in various educational institutions and residential areas.
On May 7, a 100-kilovolt transformer was stolen from the bypass road of Devgram Union on the Dhaka-Khulna highway of the upazila near the office of West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDICO). The transformer contained about 200 kg of copper wire, whose market value is about three lakh taka. Local tea shop owner Md. Nazrul Sheikh said, I had returned home after shopping till 10 pm. When I came in the morning, I found the transformer lying next to the electricity pole. The thieves stole the copper wires inside. However, the police patrolled the highway throughout the night.
According to the Goalanda Rural Electricity Sub-Regional Office, their sub-regional office covers the entire Goalanda upazila and parts of Rajbari Sadar upazila (Basantapur, Sultanpur, Barat, Shahid Wahabpur and Panchuria unions). There are a total of 1,308 transformers under its jurisdiction, including residential, commercial, industrial and irrigation. The total number of customers is 41,145. In the current May of the 2025-26 fiscal year, a total of 28 transformers, including 22 used for irrigation, three in residential areas and three in industrial areas, were stolen from different areas of Goalanda upazila.
Farmers Plabon Ahmed and Murad Hossain alleged that even though the thieves stole the transformers, the general customers have to bear the responsibility of compensation. After the farmers deposited the transformer money at the rural power office, the transformer was bought again from the office and connected. We are suffering financially due to this.
Goalanda Rural Power Association AGM Md. Asaduzzaman said, a total of 28 transformers were stolen this year. We have filed a written complaint with the police station regarding each transformer theft. Out of these, two cases were registered as cases when the thieves were caught. The remaining 26 complaints were registered in the form of General Diary (GD).
Goalanda West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (OZOPDICO) resident engineer Md. Tofazzal Hossain said, we filed a complaint with the police station regarding the theft of our transformer on May 7. Arrangements have been made to supply power to Boro paddy farmers and other consumers through alternative feeders.
He said, there has been only one incident of transformer theft in this upazila in the last two years. On the other hand, Goalanda Ghat Police Station OC Md. Shafiqul Islam said, a case has been filed in the case of theft of transformers of Ojopodiko. Efforts are underway to recover the goods and arrest the thieves. Besides, last month, a charge sheet was submitted to the court in the rural electricity case. Three accused in that case have been arrested and sent to the court.
