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Bangladesh running on empty Bangladesh running on empty
(about 2 hours later)
By Roland Buerk BBC News, BangladeshBy Roland Buerk BBC News, Bangladesh
The Bangladesh government is trying to find a solution to the country's electricity problems, but, so far, without success.The Bangladesh government is trying to find a solution to the country's electricity problems, but, so far, without success.
Mirpur has been worst hit by protests over the power shortagesIt was the blackout during evening prayers that was the final straw, said the residents of Mirpur in the north of the capital.Mirpur has been worst hit by protests over the power shortagesIt was the blackout during evening prayers that was the final straw, said the residents of Mirpur in the north of the capital.
After a day of Ramadan fasting, nothing to drink, no food and no smoking, they had gathered in the mosques where they would have to stand for an hour and a half of ritual.After a day of Ramadan fasting, nothing to drink, no food and no smoking, they had gathered in the mosques where they would have to stand for an hour and a half of ritual.
The only relief from the wet heat was the fans overhead.The only relief from the wet heat was the fans overhead.
And when they stuttered to a halt, grumbling resentment about the daily hours of power cuts turned to rage.And when they stuttered to a halt, grumbling resentment about the daily hours of power cuts turned to rage.
Crowds gathered in the streets.Crowds gathered in the streets.
They smashed and burned the local electricity substations.They smashed and burned the local electricity substations.
Control rooms of the power distribution company were attacked, the metal panels kicked to pieces, the dials and switches broken. And when the police arrived some of their vehicles were destroyed too.Control rooms of the power distribution company were attacked, the metal panels kicked to pieces, the dials and switches broken. And when the police arrived some of their vehicles were destroyed too.
Growing angerGrowing anger
Discontent over electricity shortages has been growing for months in Bangladesh.Discontent over electricity shortages has been growing for months in Bangladesh.
Earlier this year around 20 people were killed in days of rioting in the north of the country over the lack of power for irrigation pumps.Earlier this year around 20 people were killed in days of rioting in the north of the country over the lack of power for irrigation pumps.
With an election around the corner the shortage of electricity has become a major political issue Demonstrators and government supporters, armed with sticks and small homemade bombs fought running battles among the mango orchards. Screams and smoke drifted between the trees.With an election around the corner the shortage of electricity has become a major political issue Demonstrators and government supporters, armed with sticks and small homemade bombs fought running battles among the mango orchards. Screams and smoke drifted between the trees.
Until recently in the big cities the blackouts were kept to a tolerable level - just.Until recently in the big cities the blackouts were kept to a tolerable level - just.
But a number of power stations have broken down simultaneously and even the most affluent areas of the capital are plunged into darkness on a regular basis.But a number of power stations have broken down simultaneously and even the most affluent areas of the capital are plunged into darkness on a regular basis.
It has highlighted a long-term problem - Bangladesh does not have enough generating capacity. Investment in the power sector has not kept pace with the growth in the number of customers.It has highlighted a long-term problem - Bangladesh does not have enough generating capacity. Investment in the power sector has not kept pace with the growth in the number of customers.
When university lecturer Obaidul Haque's family moved to Mirpur his mother was nervous.When university lecturer Obaidul Haque's family moved to Mirpur his mother was nervous.
Their brick house was surrounded by paddy fields - it felt isolated.Their brick house was surrounded by paddy fields - it felt isolated.
That was back in 1990. Now they have got two million neighbours. The family home has a driveway, but for years it has been impossible to get a car anywhere near it.Mirpur has become a maze of lanes and alleyways far too narrow for vehicles to negotiate.That was back in 1990. Now they have got two million neighbours. The family home has a driveway, but for years it has been impossible to get a car anywhere near it.Mirpur has become a maze of lanes and alleyways far too narrow for vehicles to negotiate.
They wind past the concrete apartment buildings, barely wide enough for two bicycle rickshaws to pass.They wind past the concrete apartment buildings, barely wide enough for two bicycle rickshaws to pass.
At this time of the year even the rickshaws can struggle to get through.At this time of the year even the rickshaws can struggle to get through.
Political issuePolitical issue
At the start of every evening stalls are set up selling chick peas in spicy sauce, and fried sweet meats for people to break their fast.At the start of every evening stalls are set up selling chick peas in spicy sauce, and fried sweet meats for people to break their fast.
The only good thing, says Mr Haque, is that his area is spared Dhaka's notorious traffic jams and the blaring of car horns. He can hear the twitter of birds and the call to prayer singing out from distant mosques.The only good thing, says Mr Haque, is that his area is spared Dhaka's notorious traffic jams and the blaring of car horns. He can hear the twitter of birds and the call to prayer singing out from distant mosques.
Food is sold for Iftar, the evening meal which breaks the daily fast With an election around the corner the shortage of electricity has become a major political issue.Food is sold for Iftar, the evening meal which breaks the daily fast With an election around the corner the shortage of electricity has become a major political issue.
The State Minister for Power, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, had a plan to solve the problem, but no money to put it into action.The State Minister for Power, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, had a plan to solve the problem, but no money to put it into action.
He had drawn up a glossy brochure.He had drawn up a glossy brochure.
It showed that $1.9bn (£10bn) was needed to meet Bangladesh's goal of reliable electricity for all by 2020. It showed that $19bn (£10bn) was needed to meet Bangladesh's goal of reliable electricity for all by 2020.
At the end of each ambitious proposal in his brochure, for a new power station or more transmission lines, was the admission that the funds would have to come from international donors.At the end of each ambitious proposal in his brochure, for a new power station or more transmission lines, was the admission that the funds would have to come from international donors.
And, up to now, few have come forward offering money.And, up to now, few have come forward offering money.
Temporary measuresTemporary measures
Four months ago Iqbal Hassan Mahmood lost his job.Four months ago Iqbal Hassan Mahmood lost his job.
Last week his successor was fired too, and still no answers have been found. So the government announced temporary measures to try to mitigate the problem.Last week his successor was fired too, and still no answers have been found. So the government announced temporary measures to try to mitigate the problem.
The owners of some factories, which were described as unimportant, were told they would not get electricity after dusk.The owners of some factories, which were described as unimportant, were told they would not get electricity after dusk.
It was ordered that billboards should not be lit up at night and shopping centres would have to run their own generators.It was ordered that billboards should not be lit up at night and shopping centres would have to run their own generators.
When it comes to electricity, as with so much else in Bangladesh, there are the haves and the have-nots Shopkeepers threatened demonstrations and the government backed down on the generators.When it comes to electricity, as with so much else in Bangladesh, there are the haves and the have-nots Shopkeepers threatened demonstrations and the government backed down on the generators.
And the rest of the ruling has been widely ignored.And the rest of the ruling has been widely ignored.
This is a time of frenzied shopping ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the celebration at the end of Ramadan.This is a time of frenzied shopping ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the celebration at the end of Ramadan.
At one of the city's main intersections a giant television screen mounted on the top of a building is still showing adverts for cars and mobile phones. Wealthy shoppers crowd into malls - decorated for the festive season with fairy lights.At one of the city's main intersections a giant television screen mounted on the top of a building is still showing adverts for cars and mobile phones. Wealthy shoppers crowd into malls - decorated for the festive season with fairy lights.
A diamond shop ablaze with light was doing a roaring trade full of shoppers.A diamond shop ablaze with light was doing a roaring trade full of shoppers.
Outside I saw a street urchin, aged about five, take a break from his lonely night time begging, to pull down his shorts and squat over the gutter.Outside I saw a street urchin, aged about five, take a break from his lonely night time begging, to pull down his shorts and squat over the gutter.
When it comes to electricity, as with so much else in Bangladesh, there are the haves and the have-nots.When it comes to electricity, as with so much else in Bangladesh, there are the haves and the have-nots.
From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Thursday, 5 October, 2006 at 1100 BST on BBC Radio 4. Please check the programme schedules for World Service transmission times.From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Thursday, 5 October, 2006 at 1100 BST on BBC Radio 4. Please check the programme schedules for World Service transmission times.