The government has suspended two officials for their negligence of duty that led to the nationwide grid failure. The suspended officials are – Allama Hasan Bakhtiar, sub-divisional engineer (SPMD, Dhaka-1) and Md Mostafizur Rahman, assistant engineer (SPMD, Dhaka-1). They were found guilty in the probe report for negligence of their duties.
The national power transmission grid failed on 4 October at 2:05pm – causing blackout across Bangladesh, except some parts of the north. Following the grid failure, all power plants tripped one after another and the electricity supply went off in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Barisal and Mymensingh divisions.
In order to investigate the incident, the ministry of power, energy and mineral resource formed two probe committees. Some people were responsible as they were reluctant to discharge their duties properly, the probe report says. Besides, the distribution companies did not respond properly to the PGCB’s instructions, according to the probe report. Such negligence is unprecedented and unexpected. The authorities concerned will have to work with honesty and sincerity in order to ensure smooth power supply. Also, necessary steps should be taken to incorporate smart grid system. The national electric grid has remained vulnerable to quality transmission, natural calamities and abrupt tripping because of manual maintenance of the grid. Therefore, if any technical fault occurs in power plant, the concerned officials have to depend on telephone call to solve the problem instantly.
The authorities concerned
will have to work with honesty
and sincerity in order to ensure
smooth power supply
If the government set up automatic machine at each distribution feeder to count every disruption of electricity round the clock, which is now being done manually, it will be able to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Therefore, the government must fix the problem by transforming the manual system into an ‘automated smart grid system’ immediately. The smart grid will be able to read and collect transmission and distribution data enabling the integration of the information systems along with supplying quality power to the clients on a 24/7 basis.
Against the backdrop of fuel crisis across the globe caused by the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war and Covid-19 pandemic, the government is now executing load shedding and limiting electricity generation as it could not give (any more) subsidy in the power. Therefore, all officials and employees must work together to ensure smooth power supply during this tough time.
