Power, transport authorities ordered to notify public of service disruptions via TV scrolls

The order comes a day after technical glitches halted metro rail service in Dhaka and caused widespread blackouts across 21 southern districts

Power and Energy, Road Transport and Bridges Advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has directed authorities to immediately notify clients and commuters of service disruptions via television news scrolls.

The order, issued on Sunday, comes in the wake of a temporary disruption in the metro rail service and a power blackout in the Khulna region on Saturday.

However, the advisor was not alerted about the disruptions by ministry officials. Instead, he learnt about both incidents through social media.

Sunday's office order, signed by Fouzul's Private Secretary Saiful Islam, said: “From now on, any service disruptions affecting clients or passengers must be communicated immediately via scrolls on television, and the authorities must issue an apology.”

“We must remember that serving clients and passengers is not a favour to them -- it is our responsibility.”

The metro rail service was disrupted after 5pm on Saturday due to a technical glitch in the power supply. It was halted for almost two hours and resumed at 6:52pm, affecting thousands of homebound passengers.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) did not issue any notice to the media or on social media.

Meanwhile, a national power grid failure caused widespread blackouts across 21 southern districts on Saturday.