Businesspeople say doing business in Dhaka's major commercial hubs now costs much on extra consumption of diesel in generators to run corporate offices because of frequent power outage.

Country's main business hubs like Motijheel, Dilkusha, Purana Paltan, Old Dhaka, Karwan Bazar and Nilkhet are greatly affected by the errant supply of electricity.

"Our cost of doing business has gone up significantly as office maintenance turns expensive for purchasing diesel to run the power generators,” said Khairul Alam, vice president of Eastern

Insurance Company, which is located at Dilkhusha, country's main banking and insurance business hub.

Echoing Khairul's view, many more business executives working in this business area suggested the government prioritise the business areas in supplying power without interruption as businesses contribute considerably to the national economy.

While talking to The Daily Star, a businessman of Dilkusha said he has to spend an additional amount of Tk25,000 a month for purchasing diesel to maintain his office.

The Old Dhaka businessmen also spelt out a bitter

experience of severe power crisis in their business hubs.

Power Development Board (PDB) data shows country's power companies were capable of generating 3500 megawatt (MW) a day yesterday against the daily demand for 4400MW. It says the countrywide load-shedding recorded yesterday at 803MW.

A PDB official said 720MW of electricity could not be generated due to shortage of gas on the day.

The Wednesday's actual production was 3492MW against the 4302MW demand and the load-shedding was recorded at 810MW.

reefat@thedailystar.net