Shops, markets get 2-hr extension

The government has extended the operating hours of shopping malls, markets and stores across Bangladesh ahead of Durga Puja 2026, allowing them to remain open from 11am to 10pm until October 22, according to a press release by the Power Division on Monday.

Meanwhile, the government has approved a five-day holiday for the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja, from 20 to 24 October.

However, government offices will remain open on the preceding Saturday, 17 October.

In a letter, the Power Division said: “For the upcoming Durga Puja, different shopping malls, markets and shops will remain open from 11am to 10pm until Oct 22. From Oct 23, the previous schedule (11am to 8pm) will remain in force.”

The division has notified the mayors or administrators of all city corporations, divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners, as well as the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association and Dhaka Shop Owners Association.

Copies were also sent to the power distribution authorities, including the Bangladesh Power Development Board, Rural Electrification Board, DPDC, DESCO, WZPDCL and NESCO.

The government had cut shop hours from 9pm to 8pm on Aug 12 as part of efforts to save electricity and improve power management.

The schedule has been changed several times this year amid an energy crisis.

In April, shops were ordered to close by 6pm before the deadline was raised to 7pm following business owners’ demands.

Hours were later relaxed to 10pm ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, before being reduced to 9pm in June and 8pm in August.