On Wednesday (5 March), the fourth day of Ramadan, Aleya Begum, a resident of Dolphin Goli in Dhaka’s Kalabagan, lit her gas stove at 4pm to prepare iftar.
As she heated oil in a pan and began frying onion fritters, the gas pressure suddenly dropped, leaving her meal half-cooked.
Unable to complete the iftar preparations, she had no choice but to purchase food from a shop—a predicament shared by many in the capital due to an ongoing gas crisis.
Residents across Dhaka, including Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, Kathalbagan, Mirpur, Uttara, and Jatrabari, are struggling to ignite their stoves as gas shortages persist.
Many have resorted to alternatives such as gas cylinders, induction cookers, kerosene stoves, and clay ovens.
This shift has not only escalated fuel costs but also left consumers frustrated as they continue to receive gas bills despite the erratic supply.
According to residents, while gas shortages are a year-round issue, the situation worsens significantly during Ramadan, with supply becoming highly unpredictable.
Gas pressure reportedly drops sharply from midday onwards in several areas, remaining critically low until 10pm.
Even when some supply returns late at night, the pressure remains insufficient for cooking.
The situation improves marginally at dawn but deteriorates again after 9am, leaving residents uncertain about when they will receive an adequate gas supply.
The crisis stems from a shift in gas distribution. During the winter months of November and December, residential gas supply remains relatively stable.
However, as temperatures rise in March, authorities divert more gas to power plants to meet increased electricity demand, leading to severe shortages in households.
Despite the heightened need for cooking gas during Ramadan, the crisis persists, forcing families to endure long waits in vain.
The shortage is not limited to households; CNG filling stations across Dhaka are also affected.
The Energy and Mineral Resources Division has instructed all CNG filling stations in the capital to remain closed from 2:30pm to 7pm daily during Ramadan to conserve supply.
Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, the primary supplier in Dhaka, acknowledged the crisis, attributing it to a supply deficit.
Complaints have surged at the company’s helpline, as residents across various neighbourhoods report disruptions.
Industry insiders highlight that Bangladesh once produced 2,700 million cubic feet of gas daily.
However, since 2018, production has steadily declined, leading the previous Awami League government to rely increasingly on imported LNG rather than boosting domestic exploration and production.
As a result, current production has plummeted to 1,930 million cubic feet per day, compared to 2,000–2,100 million cubic feet last year.
According to Petrobangla, the country's daily gas demand stands at 3,800 million cubic feet, while a supply of at least 3,000 million cubic feet is required to maintain stability.
Presently, only 2,600–2,650 million cubic feet is being distributed, exacerbating the crisis.
While last year’s supply levels were similar, this year, additional gas is being allocated to power plants, placing further strain on industrial and household consumers.
Gas distribution is managed by six companies under Petrobangla, with Titas responsible for Dhaka’s supply.
Titas sources indicate that while plans were made to increase supply by 200–250 million cubic feet per day in anticipation of Ramadan and summer demand, the entire additional allocation has been diverted to the power sector.
Industrial demand also remains unmet, compounding the crisis.
Despite prior warnings about potential shortages, no substantial mitigation measures were implemented, leaving consumers to bear the brunt.
Titas Managing Director Shahnewaz Parvez stated that the company's gas allocation from Petrobangla has been reduced, leading to decreased supply in several areas.
"We have redirected some gas from residential areas to power plants. The issue will persist unless supply increases," he said.
Hinting at the role of unauthorised connections, he added, "Gas leakage and illegal siphoning occur in certain areas. Even when we increase supply, gas is often consumed by hotels, restaurants, and filling stations before reaching residential users. Resolving the crisis requires increasing overall allocation".
The crisis is further aggravated by systemic inefficiencies.
Between 2020 and 2022, the gas sector recorded an average technical loss of 9.82%, with theft rampant in both the industrial and residential sectors.
Experts argue that reducing theft by just 5% could alleviate the ongoing crisis by redirecting gas to industries.
Given the urgency, the interim government is expected to take decisive action to curb gas theft and improve efficiency in distribution.
As Dhaka’s residents endure the growing hardship of the gas crisis, the absence of long-term planning and proactive measures remains a glaring concern.
With Ramadan in full swing, the shortage has turned meal preparations into a daily struggle, underscoring the broader failures in Bangladesh’s energy management.
