The people living in Narsingdi are experiencing nine to 10 hours of load shedding each day because two of six units at Ghorashal Power Plant have been inoperative for the past two years, making residents’ lives miserable.
Moreover, the frequent load shedding has been hampering industrial production in the district, forcing many owners of small enterprises to close their businesses.
A number of industrial units located in the Ghorashal and Madhabdi areas have been incurring huge loss due to power failures, local people said.
Erratic power supply also cripples a number of power looms in the district.
The industries’ owners said there were no benefits to running a business, as they are not able to supply products to buyers.
According to the Rural Electrification Board (REB) in Narsingdi, a total of 105MW is needed for 187,000 consumers in Narsingdi Sadar, Polash, Shibpur, Belabo, Monohardi and Raipura upazilas, but the REB can only supply 35-36MW.
Moreover, Narsingdi town requires 30MW, but the authorities only provide 22MW, leaving townspeople to suffer through nine to 10 hours of load shedding per day.
Ibrahim Mia, a businessman from the Chowala area of Narsingdi town, said power loom factories, and spinning and textile mills have been facing difficulties due to load shedding throughout the day and night.
Abdul Zabbar, a power loom factory owner from the Shaheprotab area of Narsingdi Sadar upazila, said: “I have 25 machines in my factory which have remained inoperative for the last few days.”
He said if the situation continued he would have to find an alternative to earn a living for his family.
General Manager of Narsingdi REB Rabiul Hasan said denied the closure of most of the power-loom businesses in the area.
He said most of the businessmen and factory owners were asked by the district administration to shut down their factories and shops after dusk, causing tremendous financial losses for them.
However, many traders are trying to adjust to the situation by setting up generators.
