Narayanganj sidewalks rife with illegal power connections

Illegal electricity connections to roadside and footpath shops have become widespread in Narayanganj city, raising concerns over power theft and safety risks for pedestrians.
In the evenings, tangled electrical wires can be seen along busy roads and sidewalks, particularly from Chashara to DIT. Many temporary shops and businesses reportedly draw electricity from nearby power poles through unauthorised connections.
According to Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC), at least 1,000 hawkers operate on Bangabandhu Road and adjoining areas. Shopkeepers at many roadside stalls allegedly use electricity illegally, with some sharing a single connection among several shops. 
The unauthorised connections are less noticeable during the day but become evident in the evening when shopkeepers switch on lights, fans and other electrical appliances. Locals said the illegal use of electricity is causing revenue losses to the government and raising concerns among legitimate consumers who face load-shedding and power outages despite paying their bills regularly. Residents fear that short circuits could cause fires or electric shocks, particularly during rain. Abdus Salam, a resident of Chashara, said urgent action was needed to remove the risky connections. 
NCC Administrator Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan said “We work for the welfare of the people. If anyone is involved in electricity theft here, we will take action against them,” he said.
In contrast, Ahmedur Rahman Tonu, director of the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry and founder of We Are Volunteers, said the illegal connections were operating openly. “These illegal footpath lines are running right in front of the eyes of the electricity department and the administration. We need to find out who is behind this syndicate,” he said. He also questioned why the authorities had failed to take action against the network despite changes in governments.
Meanwhile, Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Md Raihan Kabir said coordinated measures were being taken to prevent electricity wastage in line with government directives. “We have collected information from different places in Narayanganj. We will start the drive very soon,” he said.