Dhaka's longstanding gas supply issues have taken a turn for the worse, with several areas in the capital enduring prolonged periods without gas, and others experiencing only sporadic availability.
The situation has been exacerbated by ongoing repairs at an LNG terminal, as reported by Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company.
According to residents, many parts of Dhaka have been severely affected, with some areas experiencing a complete lack of gas supply for most of the day over the week.
Residents in Moghbazar, Eskaton, Siddeshwari, Banasree, Mirpur, Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Basabo, and Azimpur have been particularly affected by these disruptions.
Residents have been facing a complete lack of gas supply during the day, with no proper supply since the onset of winter.
Many have been forced to rely on gas cylinders and electric stoves to prepare meals.
"Now, there is no gas. We’re paying monthly gas bills, yet we’re forced to buy cylinders," said one housewife.
"There is no gas from dawn. Previously we had some till noon. This forces us to complete all cooking before sunrise," said another resident.
The severity of the issue has led to many households keeping extra LPG cylinders on hand, even when they are connected to a gas line.
Petrobangla’s report indicated that 2,505 million cubic feet of gas was supplied nationwide on Thursday (2 January), a significant decrease of 400 million cubic feet compared to the previous week.
The floating LNG terminal, which can supply 1,168 million cubic feet, only provided 574 million cubic feet on Thursday.
The situation has been further strained by a planned closure of the Moheshkhali terminal for 72 hours due to essential repairs.
"Titas typically receives around 1,400 million cubic feet of gas. Due to the terminal repairs, this has been reduced by 200 million cubic feet, intensifying the crisis in some areas," said Titas Gas Managing Director Shahnewaz Parvez.
"Gas supply problems in Dhaka have persisted for a long time. In some areas, we cannot meet the demand due to insufficient supply. Additionally, issues with the gas lines in certain areas prevent us from providing gas at higher pressures. We are working on repairing the lines in these locations,” he added.
