Severe load shedding disrupts life, industry in Tangail

Severe power shortages and frequent load shedding have disrupted public life and economic activities across Tangail. Against a daily demand of around 370 megawatts (MW), the district is receiving only about 223 MW, resulting in repeated power cuts throughout the day and night.

Abubakar siddique, District Executive Engineer division-2 said the Power Development Board (PDB) requires around 170 MW in Tangail but is receiving only 110 MW. Meanwhile, demand under the Rural Electrification Board is about 200 MW, against a supply of just 113 MW.

As a result, many areas of the district are experiencing load shedding every one or two hours. The situation has become particularly difficult amid the intense heat. Children and elderly people are suffering the most, while prolonged outages at night are disrupting sleep and affecting people’s health and productivity. Water supply, education and routine household activities are also being hampered.

Industries and factories have been hit hard by the power crisis. Frequent outages are disrupting production, forcing many large factories to operate diesel generators. This has sharply increased fuel and production costs. Small and medium-sized businesses, unable to bear the additional generator expenses, are facing losses. Shops and markets are also experiencing a decline in customers and sales.

Tangail Palli Bidyut Samity General Manager Md Sanowar Hossain said demand under the rural electricity network is around 200 MW, while only 113 MW is being supplied. Frequent load shedding is being carried out due to the shortage, he said, adding that the government is working to bring the situation under control.

Obaidul Islam, supervising engineer of the Tangail PDB, said the district is receiving less electricity from the national grid than its demand, making temporary load shedding necessary. Efforts are underway to stabilise the situation and restore normal power supply quickly, he added.

Dilip Kumar, managing director of ATM Lungi Fabrics Industries, said his factory faces production losses whenever electricity is unavailable.

“There are five to six hours of power cuts a day. The government should take immediate steps to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply,” he said.