Gas Crisis Persists, Plaguing Industry and Daily Life

Staff Reporter

The gas shortage in the country is becoming increasingly severe. Against a daily demand of 3,800 million cubic feet, only 2,700 million cubic feet is being supplied, impacting industrial, residential, and power sectors. Stakeholders blame the Yunus government’s indifference and anti-business policies for the crisis.

Reports indicate that domestic gas field production has dropped to 1,850 million cubic feet, yet the government has taken no effective measures to address the situation. Despite increased reliance on LNG imports, delays in unloading due to bad weather excuses have worsened the crisis.

Affected industrialists report that production in factories is being disrupted due to gas shortages.

In Ashulia, Gazipur, and Narayanganj, gas pressure is so low in many factories that production has to be halted entirely on some days. Business owners say that despite government claims of increasing supply, no real improvement is visible, reflecting official apathy.

Residential consumers are also suffering. In various parts of Dhaka, gas is unavailable for more than a few hours a day. Complaints yield no remedy. Titas Gas states it receives only 1,520 to 1,550 million cubic feet against a daily demand of 1,900 million cubic feet, prolonging the crisis.

While gas supply to the power sector has been reduced slightly to marginally increase industrial supply, this has forced reliance on costly diesel-based power plants instead of cheaper gas-fired ones, raising subsidies. Yet, no substantive changes are seen in the government’s energy strategy.

M Shamsul Alam, energy advisor to the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said, “The government still refuses to adopt a genuine demand-based gas supply policy. They seek applause for minor supply increases but show no accountability in alleviating public suffering.”

Overall, long-standing mismanagement, corruption, and lack of planning in the energy sector have intensified the crisis. Experts stress that temporary fixes are insufficient—permanent solutions and accountable policies are urgently needed.