Industrial users are counting 30 to 50 percent production losses for the last couple of months thanks to a gas shortage.

And despite a recent rise in supply through the national pipeline, the textile and spinning mills, and ceramic industries have continued to suffer as the bulk of the gas has been diverted to power production units to meet the growing electricity demand with summer nearing.

At present, the country is getting 2,850 million cubic feet of gas a day (mmcfd) after the addition of 200 mmcfd of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Monday. The demand for gas is about 3,900 mmcfd, according to data from Petrobangla.

However, the imported LNG has been diverted to power plants. Gas supply to the power plants increased from 750 mmcfd to 900 mmcfd since last week, Petrobangla data shows. The Daily Star talked to 10 industry owners or managers in Dhaka, Savar, Narayanganj, Tongi, Gazipur and Narshingdi and 20 residents of 15 areas of Dhaka city, all of whom said they have been suffering due to low pressure of gas.

Production at Ashulia-based Little Star Spinning Mills slumped by more than 50 percent from its daily capacity of 12 tonnes of yarn due to the gas crisis over the last few months, said its Chairman Md Khorshed Alam. Spinning mills need gas to run the boilers for dyeing and printing fabrics. The boiler at Little Star needs 8 pounds per square inch (psi) pressure of gas, but it often drops to 1 to 1.2 psi during the day and to 2-3 psi after 10:00pm, according to Khorshed. "I don't know when this problem will be resolved. We have been suffering from the gas crisis for almost a year now," he said.

The pressure of gas in most of the industries in Narsingdi remains 5-6 psi against the demand for 15 psi, said Momen Mollah, the immediate past president of the Narsingdi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As a result, production decreased by almost 30 percent, he said, adding that they addressed the issue to the concerned authorities through various channels but no solution has been found. "They said it would take more time to resolve the gas shortage," he added.

In fiscal 2024-25, the demand for gas for industries is 976 mmcfd, according to Petrobangla's projection. However, they are getting 560-600 mmcfd on an average, said a Petrobangla official, preferring anonymity as he is not authorised to speak with the media.

The ceramic industry is facing a severe crisis due to the ongoing gas shortage, said Irfan Uddin, general secretary of the Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association. The desired level of gas pressure at the factories is 15 psi, but they have been getting 2 to 5 psi or sometimes even less, he said.

Subsequently, the ceramic factories' daily production losses have crossed 50 percent, he said, adding that many ceramic companies have been compelled to halt investment plans, while newly established factories remain non-operational due to the crisis.

Narayanganj is facing a similar situation, said Ahmedur Rahaman Tanu, director of the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Instead of the required 15 psi, gas pressure often drops to 3 to 5 psi, and sometimes even zero, causing daily production losses of 30 to 40 percent, according to him.

Petrobangla Chairman Md Rezanur Rahman and Titas Gas Managing Director Shahnewaz Parvez could not be reached for comment. However, a top official of Petrobangla said the government has given the highest priority to power generation. "The power sector is getting the increased LNG supply, and production has increased. But other sectors will not get the benefit right now. It depends on more gas production and imports," he added. Household users are also facing gas shortage before iftar, a harsh turn during Ramadan, the month of fasting.

Gas pressure drops around 4:00pm and remains low until iftar, said residents in Dhaka's Mirpur, Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Zigatola, Adabor, Khilgaon, Uttara, Banasree, Badda and areas in Old Dhaka. As soon as the call to Maghrib prayer is blasted in the mosque loudspeakers, the gas pressure returns, said Shahnaz Rahmatullah, a resident of Banasree area.

During the day, the gas pressure remains stable, but it is not a convenient time to cook during Ramadan, she added. Weak gas supply during iftar preparation means Lalbagh resident Shimu Rahman has to make do without homecooked items. "We have no option but to go outside to get iftar," she said.

News link: Gas scarcity halves industrial production