Dhaka, September 18 (Daily Kiran) : Residents in Dhaka, Bangladesh, are grappling with a severe gas crisis that has persisted for the past two to three months. Many are forced to spend extra money on alternatives for cooking, heating water, and other essential daily needs due to the lack of gas supply.
Local media reports highlight the frustration among citizens who continue to pay their gas bills while receiving little to no service. Families are questioning who will compensate them for these additional expenses.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, the gas shortage has exacerbated daily challenges for many, increasing their monthly expenditures. Households are paying their gas bills, but the supply remains drastically low. As a result, they are turning to electricity, LPG cylinders, and takeout meals, which are more expensive.
Residents in the Dhanmondi area report having received no gas for the last two months, yet they still pay their bills to the state-run gas distribution company, Titas Gas. Faria Ahmed Borsha, a homemaker from Lalbagh, shared that her family has had almost no gas for the past three to four months, yet they continue to pay a monthly bill of 1,080 Bangladeshi Taka.
This situation is common across various neighborhoods in Dhaka. People are resorting to alternative solutions for their daily needs while still paying for a service they are not receiving. The gas shortage coincides with a significant nationwide gas deficit.
Data from Petrobangla indicates that daily gas demand in the country is around 3.8 billion cubic feet, while the supply hovers between 2.65 and 2.7 billion cubic feet.
The crisis worsened after a fire on July 21 damaged the electrical system of Excelerate Energy’s floating LNG terminal in Moheshkhali, disrupting the supply of approximately 450 million cubic feet of gas daily. Although some supply has since been restored, the incident intensified an already existing shortage, affecting households, industries, and power generation.
The impact of this crisis is most acutely felt by ordinary citizens. Titas has warned that gas pressure in its distribution network may remain low until LNG supply improves.
Experts suggest that there is currently no immediate solution to the gas crisis. However, increasing domestic gas production could provide some relief.
Industries heavily reliant on gas, particularly textiles, knitwear, and dyeing factories, are also suffering. Some factories have halted production entirely, while others operate below their normal capacity.
SM Nazrul Hossain, vice president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, criticized the billing practices, stating that consumers should not be charged for services they are not receiving. He emphasized the government’s promise of uninterrupted gas service and questioned why full bills are still being demanded.
He added that this additional burden is particularly challenging for salaried individuals, whose incomes do not regularly increase. Hossain called for a clear government plan to address the fuel crisis, noting the absence of any solid strategy thus far.
Leave a Comment