Loadshedding in Khulna sparks outcry

The city's demand for electricity is 550 megawatt a day, but Ramadan began with a loadshedding of over 200 megawatt as a 60-megawatt power plant suddenly went out of order on Wednesday midnight due to mechanical faults.

It will take at least one month to repair the power plant, PDB sources said.

Resenting the loadshedding, businessmen Din Mohammad and Alamgir Hossain said that the four-party alliance government will have to pay a heavy price for its failure to ensure steady supply of electricity, particularly during Ramadan.

Devotees who came to Baitun Noor and Town Jame Mosques for Tarabi prayers on Thursday echoed similar views as the loadshedding plunged the areas into darkness.

Leaders of Puja Udjapan Parishad also expressed grave concern at frequent loadshedding and demanded uninterrupted power supply during the Durga Puja to ensure security.

"We feel insecure fearing that criminals may launch attacks on the Puja Mandaps (altars) taking advantage of the loadshedding," said Shyamal Halder, vice-president of Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oiyka Parishad.