A severe gas crisis has gripped the country’s industrial sector, disrupting production in textiles, garments, ceramics, steel and other manufacturing industries, while also affecting residential consumers.
Industry insiders attribute the sharp decline in supply to maintenance work at one of the two floating LNG terminals in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, which has significantly reduced gas flow to the national grid.
According to officials of Petrobangla and Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC, the two LNG terminals have a combined capacity of 1,100 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd). When fully operational, they add around 800 mmcfd to the grid daily. Currently, supply has fallen to just over 500 mmcfd due to repair work at one terminal.
Petrobangla estimates daily national demand at about 4,200 mmcfd. Under normal circumstances, supply ranges between 2,800 and 3,000 mmcfd. On February 15, however, supply dropped to 2,250 mmcfd, leaving a deficit of nearly 1,950 mmcfd.
Engineer Kazi Mohammad Saidul Hasan, General Manager (Operations) of Titas Gas, said gas supply from the LNG terminal under repair has resumed but may take around 24 hours to fully stabilize. “Gas pressure is being increased step by step. It takes time for the line to be packed and for full pressure to build up in Dhaka,” he said.
Industrialists say factories are unable to operate at full capacity due to low pressure, resulting in declining production, stalled investment, reduced employment and mounting export risks. Many companies are struggling to meet shipment deadlines, prompting some to scale back or suspend new export orders.
In key industrial hubs such as Chattogram, Savar, Ashulia, Narayanganj, Gazipur and Narsingdi, factories are operating intermittently or shutting down altogether. Some manufacturers have resorted to diesel-powered generators, significantly increasing operational costs.
Factory officials warn that prolonged disruption could lead to canceled export orders, financial losses and difficulties in paying workers’ wages and Eid bonuses. Industry leaders have urged the government to take urgent measures to stabilize gas supply, cautioning that sustained shortages could hamper overall economic growth.
The crisis is also affecting households. Residents in several parts of Dhaka reported extremely low gas pressure, forcing families to rely on alternative cooking methods.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
