Bangladesh is facing one of its worst power crisis in years as a severe shortage of natural gas has hit electricity generation in the country, prompting the government to direct closure of shops, markets and shopping malls as early as 8pm.
Commercial establishments are now permitted to operate only between 11am and 8pm while hospitals, pharmacies and food-related businesses have been exempted. Indian high commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met Bangladesh’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood to discuss cooperation in the power and energy sectors, three days ago. “We have a pipeline with India through which diesel is supplied.
“High Commissioner Trivedi paid a courtesy call on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood,” the Indian High Commission said in a post on X. They “exchanged views on further strengthening India–Bangladesh cooperation in the power and energy sectors,” it said. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mahmood said the diesel shortage had directly affected gas-fired power generation, triggering widespread load-shedding. We have asked them to provide more,” he told reporters, according to PTI. The energy minister said additional diesel supplies from India through the existing cross-border pipeline were needed to help manage Bangladesh’s ongoing power and gas shortages.
Under a government directive that took effect on Thursday, shops, markets and shopping malls have been directed to shut shop by 8pm, according to a Reuters report.
