Gas supply and pressure have further improved in industrial zones, households and CNG filling stations across the country in line with the assurance from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Gas pressure appeared to be mostly normal in Chattogram region as industrial zones in Gazipur, Mawna, Bhaluka, Mymensingh, Narayanganj and Narsingdi witnessed increased supplies.
Gas supply to households and CNG filling stations has also improved significantly, bringing comfort to consumers including owners and drivers of CNG-driven vehicles.
Sources said as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is personally monitoring the sector, the gas supply is gradually rebounding to its pre-crisis level, bringing respite to all segments of consumers across the country.
Gas pressure of 12 to 15 pounds per square inch (PSI) has been reported in some areas, helping industrial units gradually return to full operations.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman himself is monitoring the situation round the clock and thus giving necessary directives to the authorities concerned to ensure further improvement in gas supply, sources said.
The Prime Minister’s Office is also regularly collecting information on supply conditions in different industrial areas while closely monitoring the national transmission pipeline network to maintain normal supply to industries.
President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu told BSS today that the gas crisis caused by disruptions in the supply chain has started easing and the overall situation is gradually returning to normalcy.
“Gas supply improved significantly until last night, and the overall situation is improving gradually,” he said.
He said the gas supply problems in Gazipur, Mawna, Bhaluka and Mymensingh have largely been resolved, with the areas now receiving considerably better supply than before.
However, he said some areas still face gas shortages and fluctuations in pressure. Manikganj, Dhamrai and parts of Savar had faced gas supply problems even before the recent crisis, and the supply situation in those areas is being monitored for further improvement, he added.
President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Mohammad Hatem said gas pressure has increased in various areas of Narayanganj, Narsingdi and Gazipur following the Prime Minister’s assurance.
“In some areas, gas pressure has reached 12 to 15 PSI, which has not been seen in these areas in recent times,” he said.
Hatem said gas pressure remains comparatively low in some areas of Ashulia, Kashimpur, Kaliakair and Dhamrai, although the overall supply situation has improved.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) President Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez said gas supply to industrial units has improved as supply through the gas transmission pipeline has increased following the Prime Minister’s assurance.
He said gas pressure continues to fluctuate in some areas. In some places, normal pressure remains available for around two hours before falling for several hours, he added.
Gas supply has also improved at several factories in the Gazipur industrial area, although pressure fluctuations persist, he said, hoping that the pressure fluctuations would be eased soon.
Parvez stressed the need for regular and adequate gas pressure to ensure uninterrupted production at factories.
Petrobangla sources said gas supply through the national gas transmission pipeline stood at 2.61 billion cubic feet (bcf) at 4pm today. Gas supply to the national grid is gradually increasing, the sources said.
Industry representatives said gas pressure and supply have increased in most industrial areas following the recent supply crisis, putting the situation on a path towards normalcy.
They expressed hope that industrial production would return to a more normal pace once the supply system becomes fully stable.
