- Demand 380cr cubic feet, Supply 250cr cubic feet
- Industrial production fell by one-third
- Many people use LPG & electric stoves in their homes
Due to the shortage of diesel and gas, the production of electricity has decreased. Production in the industrial sector is down. Owners claim production has dropped by one-third. This crisis has arisen because the demand for gas is low in the winter season, but the import of LNG is low. Demand for gas is 380 crore cubic feet but supply is only 250 crore cubic feet. As a result, consumers in industrial and residential sectors are suffering from the gas crisis. Owners of export-oriented industries are struggling to maintain production by buying alternative energy at high prices. The residential sector is also suffering from the gas crisis. Housewives are suffering in cooking. Bangladesh Oil, Gas, Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) sources said that the daily gas demand is 380 crore cubic feet. A supply of approximately 300 crore cubic feet is not a major problem.
But this supply could not be maintained. Gas production in the country is decreasing. LNG is being imported less. So now the supply of gas has come down below 250 crore cubic feet per day. The industries in the Narayanganj and Munshiganj areas will be in more trouble if the supply decreases. According to sources, gas supply may increase by next March. 110 to 112 crore cubic feet of gas per day have been supplied to this sector during peak electricity demand. Now 70 crore cubic feet are being supplied per day. However, the supply of gas to fertilizer factories has increased. Most of the factories are usually closed during the crisis. Production in the country is being increased due to the increase in the price of fertilizers in the world market.
Now the gas supply to the fertilizer factory is on an average of 22 crore cubic feet per day. On the other hand, in terms of production, the country's largest gas field in Bibiana in Habiganj is decreasing. However, as an alternative, gas has recently been filled in cylinders from Bhola and supplied to some industries around Dhaka. The number of export-oriented garment factories in Narayanganj is more than eight hundred. More than three hundred dyeing establishments. There is a gas shortage everywhere. Export-oriented Fair Apparels Limited located in Panchbati Bisik Industrial City has a daily production capacity of 30 tons of cloth. Now 10-12 tons are being produced. According to MS Dyeing Limited, gas is available for five to six hours in 24 hours. Although the capacity is 40 tons, 15 tons are being produced. Meanwhile, the residential customers are suffering more because they are unable to light the cooking stove. As there is no gas in the pipeline, residential customers are forced to use LPG cylinders, electric stoves and soil stoves.
Mansoor Ahmed, senior vice president of knitwear industry owners association BKMEA, said that the gas pressure is good on weekly closing days, but the pressure is decreasing on other days. To maintain the production for the sake of export, the industry needs to maintain gas supply at all times. When asked, Deputy General Manager of Titus Gas Narayanganj office Mamunar Rashid said that the supply of gas has not increased. Titas Gas Munshiganj office manager Md. Mejba Uddin said that the gas crisis in Munshiganj is becoming more and more evident day by day. Bashir Mia, a resident of Gendaria, said that the stove does not burn due to a gas shortage. This alternative way has to be accepted. There is also an additional charge. This crisis exists throughout the year, but the crisis becomes more pronounced when winter comes. As there is no gas in the pipeline, residential customers are forced to use LPG cylinders, electric stoves, and wood stoves. Rahima Begum, a resident of the Mugda area, said that due to the lack of pipeline gas, she has to pay an additional Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,500 electricity bills every month. Again, Titas Gas also has to pay the bill. Majeda Begum said that although the gas comes late at night, it goes away before 6 am.
Many customers are not getting gas for cooking even in the capital Dhaka. Customer calls are coming to Titas complaint center from various areas including Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Kalabagan, Bashundhara, and Old Dhaka without getting gas. Hajera Begum, a resident of Mohammadpur, said that the gas comes in the middle of the night, and then goes away by 8 am. In January this year, gas prices were increased by an average of 80 percent. In the name of providing uninterrupted gas supply to industries, the price has been increased by 179 percent.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) senior vice-president and energy expert Professor M Shamsul Alam said, "The government is buying energy by borrowing. This cannot be a solution to the crisis. Importance should be given to the extraction and development of domestic gas. He said, "Customers are not getting proper gas but have to pay bills every month. Titas authorities show reluctance to provide pre-paid meters to loot. If you have a pre-paid meter, you don't have to pay extra bills. Energy expert Badrul said, "The demand for LNG in the world market is increasing. Prices may rise further. So the situation is not likely to improve for the time being. He further said, "Finally, the government is emphasizing on increasing production in the country, which should have been done five years ago. But gas will not be available soon.
ARS
