Gas Shortage in Capital and Industrial Areas, Factories Operating at Half Capacity

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Petrobangla, and other sources say daily demand is about 42 billion cubic feet, but only 25–26 billion cubic feet is being supplied. The shortage is particularly severe in the capital and surrounding industrial areas, with many factories operating at half capacity or shutting down.

Titas Gas Company and other distributors report a 15–20 billion cubic feet annual decline in domestic production over the past four years. Current gas extraction is only about 18 billion cubic feet per day. Importing LNG is limited due to financial constraints.

Officials report acute shortages in northern Dhaka, Ashulia, Savar, Joydebpur, Kashimpur, Narayanganj, and nearby industrial zones. Garment factories face production disruptions due to inadequate gas supply. Residential users are also affected, with many resorting to LPG or electric stoves.

The Energy Department is working to increase supply by repairing existing wells and drilling new ones, but new production will take several years. Rapidly operationalizing LNG terminals could significantly increase supply within two years. Analysts say a coordinated approach combining domestic production and LNG imports is necessary, but without proper long-term policy, normal supply is difficult to ensure.