Dhaka, August 3: Bangladesh is currently grappling with a significant shortage of compressed natural gas (CNG). This scarcity is causing considerable difficulties for residents in Dhaka and other regions. Many CNG auto-rickshaws and public transport vehicles are not operational, impacting household cooking as well.
Local media reports indicate that despite waiting in long queues for hours, vehicles are not receiving adequate gas supplies. This has led to disruptions in transportation services, causing inconvenience for passengers.
According to a report from the Dhaka Tribune, several drivers have shared that they wait late into the night for gas, only to find themselves still waiting the next morning or afternoon. Students, office workers, and patients are struggling to reach their destinations on time due to the unavailability of public transport.
One passenger mentioned, “On other days, I could easily get CNG at the Banashree E-Block Avenue Road. But today, after waiting for over an hour, I still haven’t found a single empty vehicle.”
Passengers have also reported that the lack of public transport has led many drivers to charge higher fares. CNG auto-rickshaws are not adhering to meter rates, with contract fares doubling or even tripling in some cases.
Meanwhile, transport owners have stated that due to the gas supply shortage, more than half of their vehicles are inactive, resulting in financial losses for both owners and drivers.
The United News of Bangladesh (UNB) reported that the ongoing gas crisis in Bangladesh is attributed to a fire that broke out on July 21 at a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Cox’s Bazar. One of its two boilers was damaged, forcing the center to halt operations. Following this incident, the country’s gas supply has dropped to below 2,150 million cubic feet per day, down from an average supply of 2,700 MMCFD over the past year, while the national daily demand stands at approximately 3,800 MMCFD.
The reduction in gas supply is also affecting domestic cooking. In several areas of Dhaka, gas pressure has nearly dropped to zero or is extremely low. Residents in Mirpur, Badda, Kalabagan, Kafrul, Mohammadpur, Kazipara, West Tejgaon Market, and Rampura have reported that their gas stoves have not been functioning for several days.
As a result of the gas supply disruption, many low-income families are resorting to makeshift clay stoves and cooking with wood. Those who can afford it have started using expensive electric cookers or LPG cylinders, leading to increased household expenses.
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