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Bangladesh has ordered shopping malls, markets and shops across the country to operate within a strict nine-hour window, between 11 am and 8 pm, as the government scrambles to manage a worsening energy crunch. The directive, dated August 12, comes just days after the country’s Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood approached India seeking additional diesel supplies.
What The Notification Says?
A copy of the official order, accessed by Network18, makes clear that malls and markets cannot stay open beyond the fixed nine-hour slot. It also directs that illuminated billboards be switched off by 7 pm, and states plainly that all forms of decorative or illuminated lighting must remain shut. Fairs, trade fairs and cultural programmes running across the country have been told to wrap up by 8 pm as well. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has sent the letter to mayors and administrators of city corporations nationwide, along with divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners, signalling that this is not a Dhaka-only measure but a countrywide rollout.
Why Is the Government Doing This?
A senior official in the BNP administration, speaking to Network18 on condition of anonymity, said the goal is to cut down artificial light use at a time when residential areas are already facing extended power cuts. Illuminated billboards and decorative lighting, the official said, are simply not something the country can afford right now, and the early shutdown doubles up as a signal of intent to the public.
The India Angle
The timing is significant. Mahmood recently met India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, and asked for more diesel to be routed through the existing pipeline between the two countries, citing shortages that have hit power and gas supply. He also flagged concerns that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could disrupt fuel imports, pushing Dhaka to look at new sources beyond current arrangements. Whether India responds favourably remains to be seen, especially given the friction between the two sides after Sheikh Hasina’s recent virtual press conference from exile. India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the request is “being examined,” but stopped short of committing to any additional supply.
Khushi Patel is a Senior Sub Editor at NewsX, covering automotive, technology, Lifestyle, entertainment, and mainstream news. She previously worked as a Copy Editor at Times Network and has written automotive editorial content, including comparison pieces, for TimesDrive.
