The Power Division has formed a 7-member inquiry committee to investigate the grid failure that led to a blackout across 21 out of the country's 64 districts, all in the southern region under Barisal and Khulna divisions.

Energy Advisor Dr M Fouzul Kabir Khan announced the formation of the probe body, to be led by Pro-Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Prof Abdul Hasib Chowdhury.

The inquiry committee was asked to submit its report and recommendations within the next 7 working days.

The other members of the committee include Prof of Mechanical Engineering Department of BUET Dr Md Ehsan, Divisional Commissioner of Md Firoz Shah of Khulna, Member (P& D) of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board and Chief Engineer of West Zone Power Distribution Company.

Addressing a press briefing at the Power Division said the committee will also look into the matter as to why the recommendations of a committee formed last in 2014 following a nationwide grid failure were not implemented.

He said the technical fault in the grid did not affect the entire country because of some measures taken up by different organisations including BPDB and PGCB.

Responding to the question he said that this year there might be some load shedding. But that power cut will always remain within a tolerable level.

“We hope the power generation will be approximately 16,500 MW against a demand of 18,000 MW,” he added.

Load-shedding to be spread equally across rural and urban areas: Energy Adviser

He admitted that in some areas there are reports of power outages. “But those occurred due to technical fault or for other reasons, not for the generation shortfall.”

He also informed that another inquiry committee was formed by the Road Transport Ministry to investigate the incident of power failure in operation of the Metro Rail in Dhaka.

“That power utilities which supply electricity to Metro Rail were not responsible. The fault caused by the Metro Rail system,” he added.