Bangladeshi Government Decided To Shut Educational Institutions Earlier To Mitigate Electricity Crisis.

Dhaka; March 2026: Bangladesh will close all universities from Monday, bringing forward the Eid al-Fitr holidays as part of emergency measures to conserve ​electricity and fuel amid a worsening energy crisis linked to ‌the conflict in the Middle East. Authorities have asserted that the decision applies to all public and private universities across the country, a move that officials said will not only ​reduce electricity consumption but also ease traffic congestion, which leads ​to fuel wastage.

Officials said university campuses consume large amounts of ⁠electricity for residential halls, classrooms, laboratories and air conditioning, and the ​early closure would help ease pressure on the country’s strained power ​system. As part of broader austerity measures, the government has also asked all foreign‑curriculum schools and private coaching ⁠centres to suspend operations during this period to limit electricity use.

Government and private schools in Bangladesh are already closed for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, meaning most educational institutions across the country will now remain shut ​during the period. The move comes as Bangladesh faces mounting uncertainty over ​fuel and gas supplies following disruptions to global energy markets caused by the ongoing ‌conflict ⁠in the Middle East.

The country, which relies on imports for 95% of its energy needs, imposed daily limits on Friday on fuel sales after panic buying and stockpiling. The measures follow U.S. and Israeli ‌airstrikes on Iran – and retaliatory strikes by Tehran across the Middle East – which have disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy route, and sent energy ​prices soaring.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the state-run importer and distributor, said the curbs ​aim to restrain excessive demand, calm the public and keep ⁠nationwide stocks stable. “Fuel oil is essential for the country’s development, but about 95% ​of it must be imported”, it said, adding that global instability had occasionally ​delayed shipments. Rumours about shortages had prompted consumers and dealers to hoard fuel, it added.

Under the limits, motorcycles can buy up to 2 litres of octane or petrol a day; private ​cars 10 litres; SUVs, jeeps and microbuses 20–25 litres; pickups and local ​buses 70–80 litres; and long-distance buses, trucks and container carriers 200–220 litres of diesel.

BPC said ‌demand at ⁠depots was abnormally high, with some dealers trying to withdraw more fuel than usual and some consumers storing fuel illegally. Filling stations must now issue cash memos showing quantity and price and verify previous purchase receipts before refuelling.

Despite ​the rush, BPC said ​imports were continuing ⁠normally and supplies were being sent to depots via rail tankers. It said buffer stocks should stabilise soon and ​urged consumers not to hoard. It also warned that selling ​fuel above ⁠government-set prices is a punishable offence.

Bangladesh also faces higher liquefied natural gas import costs after Qatar suspended deliveries amid the conflict, prompting authorities to ration gas and shut several ⁠fertiliser ​plants. The country has secured two spot LNG cargoes ​for March, but officials warned that prolonged disruption could force a heavier reliance on the volatile spot ​market, adding to its import bill.

The ⁠supply crunch has spurred the government to begin gas rationing, including shutting down four fertiliser factories to prioritise power generation and other essential ⁠sectors. Officials ​warned that if the disruption persists, Bangladesh ​may have to depend more heavily on the volatile spot LNG market, further straining ​its energy import bill.

Severe gas shortages have already forced Bangladesh to halt ​operations at four of its five state‑run fertiliser ​factories, redirecting ⁠available gas to power plants to avoid widespread outages. The country has also bought LNG from the spot market at sharply higher prices while seeking additional ⁠cargoes ​to bridge supply gaps. “We are doing everything ​we can to reduce consumption and ensure stability in power, fuel and import supplies”, a ​senior energy ministry official said.

Team Maverick.