Published : 05 Oct 2026, 10:14 PM
Updated : 05 Oct 2026, 10:14 PM
Shops, markets and shopping centres across Bangladesh can stay open for two extra hours ahead of Durga Puja, the government has said.
The extended schedule will remain in effect until Oct 22, with businesses allowed to operate from 11am to 10pm, the Power Division said Monday.
The previous schedule, allowing operations from 11am to 8pm, will return on Oct 23.
In a letter, the Power Division said: “For the upcoming Durga Puja, different shopping malls, markets and shops will remain open from 11am to 10pm until Oct 22. From Oct 23, the previous schedule (11am to 8pm) will remain in force.”
The division has notified the mayors or administrators of all city corporations, divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners, as well as the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association and Dhaka Shop Owners Association.
Copies were also sent to the power distribution authorities, including the Bangladesh Power Development Board, Rural Electrification Board, DPDC, DESCO, WZPDCL and NESCO.
The government had cut shop hours from 9pm to 8pm on Aug 12 as part of efforts to save electricity and improve power management.
The schedule has been changed several times this year amid an energy crisis.
In April, shops were ordered to close by 6pm before the deadline was raised to 7pm following business owners’ demands.
Hours were later relaxed to 10pm ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, before being reduced to 9pm in June and 8pm in August.
