Digital Bangladesh but less electricity
Load shedding still persists in Dhaka city despite the government’s claim that electricity supply has been almost normal. It occurs every day for at least six to seven hours in some parts of the city. At Karwan Bazar, load shedding strikes for more than five hours between 8:00am and 5:00pm and almost eight to nine hours in 24 hours. Moghbazar, Khilgaon, Goran, Shahjahanpur, Mohammadpur, Banani, Uttara, Eskaton Garden, Dhanmondi and Kalabagan face bitter experience of load shedding for about six to seven hours on daily basis.
As a developing country, Bangladesh needs electricity in industries, offices and houses regularly. But it is not possible as we can’t produce enough electricity. Every summer, Bangladesh faces huge load shedding problem. According to the official statistics, the country’s electricity shortage is 1000 megawatts (MW) to 1259 MW against the demand for 4806 MW. Power Development Board (PDB) sources said while the official power demand was just 5000MW, the unofficial demand was hovering around 6000 MW.
In view of continual load shedding, the normal activity of people is greatly hampered. In the offices, the work is stopped, irrigation in the field is halted, operation in hospital is suspended. To put it simply, a great hindrance is created in all social and economic activities. To improve electricity generation, the government should be practical, work more and talk less.
Muhtadi Chowdhury, Suraiya Tahsin, Nabil Aldin Bishal, Rajib Hossain and Minnatul Jannat.
East West University, Dhaka
