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The government has established an eight-member probe committee to investigate Saturday’s power grid failure that caused widespread electricity outages across 21 districts, including areas in Barishal and Khulna divisions.
The announcement was made on Sunday by Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, during a briefing at his office.
Professor Dr Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), will lead the committee. Mazharul Islam, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Power Division, will serve as the member secretary.
Other members of the committee include: A second BUET professor, The Additional Divisional Commissioner of Khulna, A Member of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), The Chief Engineer (Operations) of West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDCL), A representative from Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and A representative from Power Grid Company of Bangladesh PLC (PGCB).
The committee has been tasked with investigating the root causes of the grid failure, identifying any individuals or organizations responsible, and recommending preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future. It is expected to submit its findings within seven working days.
The grid failure occurred around 5:45 PM on Saturday due to a technical fault in the national grid, cutting off electricity supply to Barishal and parts of Khulna divisions. The blackout lasted from 5:49 PM to 6:52 PM, although power restoration in some areas extended into the evening.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the resilience of the national power grid and the reliability of energy infrastructure across the country.
