PGCB forms committee to probe power grid failure

Power Grid Bangladesh PLC (PGCB) has formed a five-member investigation committee to determine the root cause of the sudden disruption in the national power grid on Tuesday. 

The committee has been instructed to submit a detailed report within five working days, the PGCB confirmed in a press release.

The committee has been asked to investigate the actual cause of the disruption and make recommendations on measures needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The utility said Syed Ebadullah Haider Ali, chief engineer with additional responsibility for the Transmission-2 Division, has been appointed head of the investigation committee.

Earlier, a sudden disruption occurred in the national grid at 12:43pm on Tuesday, completely cutting off electricity supply across large areas of eastern Dhaka and parts of the Chattogram region. 

The affected areas included Bhulta, Haripur, Siddhirganj, Gulshan, Rampura, Ullon and Motijheel, along with several other important areas nearby.

PGCB took immediate steps to restore the national grid following the disruption. 

After nearly one hour and 45 minutes of intensive efforts, the situation was brought under control at around 2:30pm, and restoration work was fully completed. 

All grid lines and substations were subsequently brought back online one by one.

The Power Division and PGCB expressed their sincere regret for the inconvenience caused to the public by the temporary and unexpected power disruption.