Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said Bangladesh’s electricity demand has suddenly increased because of illegal battery-powered auto-rickshaws. Speaking to journalists on Thursday, he said a large number of battery-run auto-rickshaws operate across the country and nearly all are charged at night.

The minister said most electricity connections used to charge these vehicles are illegal. Authorities are conducting drives to disconnect such connections, but face protests during these operations, he said. He also said power department workers have been attacked while carrying out enforcement activities. Tuku urged people not to spread rumours about oil.

He said the government plans to establish three more terminals to increase LNG supply. An order for one terminal was placed 10 to 12 days earlier, he said, while an initiative has also been taken to set up another LNG terminal in the Mongla-Hiron Point area. He said the government is making its utmost effort to resolve electricity and gas problems, and blamed the previous Awami League government for bringing the energy sector to its current crisis situation over 17 years.