Dbarta24 Desk — In a bid to curb growing electricity demand and manage power consumption across the country, the government of Bangladesh has instructed all shopping malls, commercial markets, and retail shops to shut down by 8:00 PM daily.
Under the new directive, all illuminated billboards and decorative lighting must also be powered off by 7:00 PM.
The official directive was issued on Wednesday by the Coordination-2 branch of the Power Division. signed by Deputy Secretary Md. Mamun Bhuiyan. The revised operational timeline took effect on August 12, restricting retail operations to between 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
This move tightens earlier energy-saving regulations enforced since June 11, which had previously allowed commercial markets to remain open until 9:00 PM. The latest decision cuts operational hours by one hour in an effort to reduce peak-hour pressure on the national power grid.
Scope and Exceptions
The new order extends beyond standard retail centers. The Power Division specified that all ongoing and upcoming trade fairs, exhibitions, and cultural gatherings nationwide must strictly adhere to the 8:00 PM curfew.
However, essential public services and emergency establishments will remain unaffected. Hospitals, pharmacies, and eateries have been granted exemptions to continue operating past the deadline to serve public needs.
Implementation and Enforcement
To ensure strict compliance across urban and rural administrative zones, instructions have been dispatched to all city corporation mayors, administrators, divisional commissioners, and district magistrates across Bangladesh.
Furthermore, key power distribution and utility authorities—including the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), DPDC, DESCO, WZPDCO, and NESCO—have been formally notified to monitor energy consumption patterns and assist in implementing the mandate.
The government hopes these combined measures—limiting commercial operating hours and curtailing non-essential decorative lighting—will yield significant power savings during critical evening load periods.