Power Cut on Eid Holidays Likely

After a long time, the whole country has fallen prey to load shedding. Due to lack of demand for power, 'load shedding' is being carried out on an average of two to three hours in Dhaka and other big cities and on an average of seven to eight hours in other areas. Factories, offices and courts are closed during Eid holidays, but the chances of getting relief from the burden of load shedding are low.

The load shedding situation in rural areas is at an unbearable level whereas about one crore people have left Dhaka for the Eid holidays. The people concerned have to work hard to provide the necessary electricity for the extra people.

The power department says there is currently a power shortage of about 2,000 megawatts across the country. Until next September, the average demand in the country is 14 thousand megawatts. If the demand is reduced by two thousand megawatts through various measures, there will be no need for load shedding. Initiatives have already been taken to make load shedding routine across the country. Demand for electricity will decrease as factories, garments and offices are closed during the Eid holidays. So the risk of load shedding is less.

Debashish Chakraborty, a member of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (distribution and management), said they have an average power shortage of about 2,000 megawatts. Especially in Mymensingh region and Rangpur region load shedding is increasing.