A lawmaker told Parliament that Maheshkhali, despite generating over 1,200MW of electricity, still faces shortages, while also urging urgent action against erosion in Kutubdia and improved coastal infrastructure.
A ruling party lawmaker on Wednesday highlighted stark disparities in electricity distribution in Maheshkhali, an island upazila in Cox’s Bazar district in southeastern Bangladesh, questioning why power-producing regions continue to face shortages despite hosting major national energy infrastructure.
Participating in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year in Parliament, Alamgir Mohammad Mahfuzullah raised concerns over what he described as a growing imbalance between national power generation and local supply in the coastal region.
He said around 1,200 megawatts of electricity is generated from the Maheshkhali-Matarbari power hub and transmitted to the national grid, while local demand in Maheshkhali is approximately 25 megawatts. However, the area reportedly receives only 10 to 12 megawatts from the grid, resulting in frequent load-shedding and continued disruption to daily life.
The MP said this gap reflects a broader issue of uneven distribution of infrastructure benefits, adding that regions hosting large-scale national projects should receive priority in ensuring uninterrupted utility services.
He called for measures to ensure a more equitable and reliable electricity supply for local communities living near major power generation facilities.
Mahfuzullah also drew attention to severe river erosion in Kutubdia Island, noting that the island’s landmass has significantly declined over the decades, shrinking from about 100 square kilometres to nearly 30 square kilometres. He urged the government to undertake long-term coastal protection measures, including sustainable embankments and improved connectivity through a bridge linking the island to the mainland.
Turning to the national budget, the lawmaker said the proposed Tk 9.31 trillion budget reflects a focus on economic stabilisation and recovery. He noted that following the budget announcement, prices of essential commodities have remained largely stable and public protests over inflationary pressures have not been observed, which he described as an unusual development in recent years.
He further said reductions in duties on essential goods such as rice, edible oil, onions and sugar have provided relief to consumers. However, he maintained that questions remain over why opposition parties continue to hold demonstrations despite what he described as improved market conditions.
Mahfuzullah also referred to the government’s “Three R” framework of Recovery, Restoration and Resilience, calling it a structured approach to economic management. He praised initiatives such as the expansion of the Family Card programme to 4.1 million women and the continuation of tax exemptions for freelancers, describing them as supportive measures for inclusive economic participation.
The budget proposal is currently under general discussion in Parliament and is expected to undergo further deliberation before final approval.
