New Delhi: Bangladesh is grappling with a severe power crisis as a shortage of natural gas cuts electricity generation, forcing the government to impose an early shutdown on shops, markets and shopping malls across the country.
Under the new directive, commercial establishments must close by 8 pm, while the government has turned to neighbouring India for additional diesel supplies to help ease the worsening energy crunch.
Bangladesh Imposes 8 PM Shutdown as Power Crisis Bites
The government order, which came into effect on Thursday, requires shops, markets and shopping malls to operate only between 11 am and 8 pm, according to a Reuters report.
Hospitals, pharmacies and businesses dealing in food have been exempted from the restriction.
The move comes as Bangladesh’s national power grid struggles to meet demand amid a shortage of gas, which is a key fuel for electricity generation. The supply crunch has resulted in widespread load-shedding, particularly during peak hours.
Dhaka Turns to India for More Diesel
With the energy crisis deepening, Bangladesh has sought additional diesel supplies from India to help keep its power and gas systems running. Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi recently met Bangladesh’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood to discuss cooperation in the energy sector.
The Indian High Commission said in a post on X that the two sides exchanged views on “further strengthening India–Bangladesh cooperation in the power and energy sectors.”
After the meeting, Mahmood said Bangladesh had specifically asked India to increase diesel supplies through the existing cross-border pipeline.
“We have a pipeline with India through which diesel is supplied. We have asked them to provide more,” he told reporters, according to PTI.
The minister said additional supplies were needed to tackle the country’s ongoing power and gas shortages.
“India is our neighbouring country, so we have many areas of mutual interest, and those issues were discussed,” Mahmood added.
Gas Shortage Leaves Bangladesh Facing Major Power Deficit
Bangladesh’s electricity crisis has been driven largely by limited gas supplies, which have reduced the country’s ability to generate power.
According to Reuters, the national grid is facing a shortfall of several hundred megawatts during peak hours, resulting in load-shedding in several parts of the country.
The shortage has put additional pressure on the government to reduce electricity demand, with the 8 pm closure order aimed at cutting consumption by commercial establishments during the evening.
Iran Crisis Adds to Bangladesh’s Energy Woes
The situation has also been compounded by turmoil in global energy markets linked to the Iran crisis.
Disruptions in energy supplies and heightened volatility in international fuel and LNG prices have added to the pressure on countries dependent on imported energy.
For Bangladesh, the combination of constrained gas supplies, higher fuel pressures and rising electricity demand has intensified an already difficult power situation.
The government’s decision to enforce early closures, coupled with its request for additional diesel from India, underlines the severity of the energy crunch facing the country.