Many areas in the capital Dhaka have been hit hard by gas shortage, causing immense sufferings for the city dwellers. Besides, the country’s industrial sector is bearing the brunt of acute gas crisis.
At present, gas supply is about 2,500 million standard cubic feet per day (mmcfd) against the demand for 3,800 mmcfd, according to media reports. With the onset of the winter, the gas crisis has started worsening. Lack of any timely measure is blamed for the situation.
Residents in different areas of the capital are not getting adequate gas during the daytime. Therefore, they have to cook meals at midnight when gas flow is found to be a little bit better.
Apart from the capital, different areas in Chattogram city have been experiencing shortage or low pressure of gas for the last three months, hampering the household chores. Different industries, factories, and business establishments are also facing acute gas crisis.
Gas supply is about 2,500
million standard cubic feet
per day (mmcfd) against the
demand for 3,800 mmcfd
The owners are failing to run their industries, factories, and business establishments for gas crisis. Therefore, production at those industries and factories is being seriously hampered, thus raising the cost of production.
Most of the industry owners use their own generators for electricity to keep the production going but lack of gas supply often makes those inoperative.
However, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said from next March-April, there would be a automatic adjustment of fuel oil prices every month, like neighbouring countries. While neighbouring countries adjust prices daily, our government will adjust once a month.
We know the government is striving to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to all industries as the country is going to be a trillion-dollar economy by the year 2040. Due to unplanned industrialisation, it becomes difficult for the government to provide smooth gas supply to all industries.
The government should ensure uninterrupted supply of gas to the industries immediately. Taking into account the importance of smooth graduation-led transition of Bangladesh amid the volatile geo-economic situation, the government must prioritise energy security strategy as energy is imperative to sustain the growth momentum.