Ruling party MP says power shortages leaving them embarrassed in villages
Describing the situation in his constituency, Babul said peak-hour electricity demand in Melandaha and Madarganj upazilas stands at 43MW, but only 27MW is currently being supplied.
A ruling party lawmaker has said persistent power shortages in rural areas are leaving them in an awkward position, as they are increasingly confronted by angry residents over the electricity crisis during visits to their constituencies.
Speaking during a supplementary question in Parliament today (8 July), Mostafizur Rahman Babul, member of parliament from Jamalpur-3, said electricity had become one of the biggest concerns in rural Bangladesh.
"Power shortages have become a major issue in villages. Whenever we visit our constituencies, people raise the issue with us. It puts us in an embarrassing and uncomfortable situation," he said.
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The remarks came during the 21st sitting of the second – and first budget – session of the 13th Parliament, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.
Describing the situation in his constituency, Babul said peak-hour electricity demand in Melandaha and Madarganj upazilas stands at 43MW, but only 27MW is currently being supplied. During off-peak hours, demand is 38MW against a supply of just 25MW.
As a result, the area is experiencing load-shedding of between 34% and 38%, on average, he said, asking when consumers could expect an uninterrupted power supply.
Responding to the question, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said the Mymensingh region is facing problems with its electricity transmission network.
He said the government has undertaken a project to build a new transmission line, but implementation has been delayed because of legal complications related to land acquisition for transmission towers.
According to the minister, although the government won a court case filed by a landowner in Bhaluka over the Joydebpur-Shambhuganj transmission line, construction has yet to begin.
"We have discussed the matter with the local member of parliament, and with his cooperation we hope to start the work soon," he said.
Tuku added that once the transmission line is completed, electricity shortages across the Mymensingh region – particularly in Jamalpur and surrounding areas – are expected to ease significantly
