gas crisis paralyzes country: Industrial production halted, stoves in kitchens dim

A severe gas crisis has gripped the country, from ordinary people to large industrial establishments. Stoves in kitchens are not burning, and production in industrial areas is coming to a standstill. The gas crisis is so severe that drivers have to wait for hours at CNG stations for fuel. This has also brought the road transport system to a standstill.

Due to the lack of gas in industrial areas as per demand, production in the ceramic, steel and textile sectors has come to a standstill. Industrial owners say that gas is not available indiscriminately even at the highest price. In this situation, it has become difficult to continue production, many are forced to close factories. This is reducing industrial investment, and export earnings are also under threat.

According to recent data from Petrobangla, the country's power sector is receiving the most gas—392.45 million cubic feet (43 percent). On the other hand, the industrial sector is receiving only 168.21 million cubic feet (18 percent). Residential customers also receive only 11 percent.

Gas pressure in industrial factories in Gazipur, Chittagong, Narayanganj, Savar and Rupganj has dropped to one-third of the normal level. Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) Vice President Md. Saleud Zaman Khan said that where the gas pressure in his factory is supposed to be 15 PSI, it has dropped to 2 PSI. This has increased the cost of running production on diesel, but the capacity has come down to half.

On the other hand, residents of different areas of the capital have complained that they are facing extreme hardship even with their daily cooking tasks. Nazneen Ahmed of Kalabagan area said, “There is hardly any gas during the day, and there is a slight pressure around 2-3 am. Due to this, we have to stay up at night to cook.” Shamima Akhter of Mohammadpur said, “I pay the gas bill properly, but I do not get gas day or night.”

The gas crisis has reached its peak at CNG filling stations as well. A long queue of vehicles to get CNG is a daily sight in the Mirpur Ceramic Works area. A driver said, “Even if you come to get gas in the morning, it will be late in the afternoon—still, you are not sure if you will get it.”

Titas Gas authorities said that while the current daily gas demand is 1963 million cubic feet, the supply is only 1530 million cubic feet. There is a deficit of 433 million cubic feet. Work is underway to renovate old wells and dig new wells to increase domestic production, but it is a long-term process.

However, there is a possibility of some improvement in the situation in mid-May and June. 40 million cubic feet of gas may increase from domestic sources and 60-70 million cubic feet from LNG. It is expected that the crisis may be somewhat bearable if another 50 million cubic feet are added in early June.