Dhaka-Tangail highway blocked for nearly two hours over prolonged load shedding

Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the Dhaka-Tangail highway today after locals blocked the road for half an hour in Tangail's Mirzapur upazila in protest against prolonged power outages.

The blockade began around 11:30am near the REB power substation in the Jamurki area, causing severe traffic congestion and leaving passengers and transport workers stranded in the sweltering heat.

The highway reopened around 1:15pm following police intervention.

Protesters alleged that frequent load shedding has made daily life unbearable, with many areas remaining without electricity for more than four to five hours a day. They said businesses have been disrupted and students preparing for the upcoming HSC examinations are struggling due to the prolonged outages.

The demonstrators also claimed they had repeatedly raised the issue with local public representatives but saw no improvement, forcing them to take to the streets.

Tangail Palli Bidyut Samity General Manager Chhanowar Hossain said the outages were caused by a supply shortfall. During peak hours, the utility's demand is around 191MW, but it is receiving only about 101MW, he said.

He added that electricity for Tangail and at least six other areas, including Jamalpur and Mymensingh, is supplied through the Kaliakoir grid, while load-shedding decisions for the region are controlled by the Bangladesh Power Development Board's Mymensingh office.

Obaidur Rahman, superintendent engineer of the Bangladesh Power Development Board in Tangail, said the district requires about 140MW of electricity but is receiving a maximum of 110MW.

"We understand the public's suffering, but if there is a shortage in supply from the grid, there will inevitably be a shortage in distribution," he said.