Photo: Messenger
A severe gas shortage in the Manikganj district of Bangladesh is wreaking havoc on industrial production, affecting 71 factories across Ashulia in Dhaka to Aricha in Shibaloy Upazila.
The crisis has compelled industrial owners to resort to alternative energy sources such as electricity and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), incurring additional costs to sustain production and pay employee wages.
The gas crisis has significantly disrupted the operations of various factories, including the Rising Spinning Factory in Nayadingi area, which requires 23 lakh cubic feet of gas monthly for normal production. With the gas shortage, the factory has resorted to using electricity and LPG at extra expenses, leading to a collapse in production.
Similarly, Akiz Textile Mill in Gola area is burdened with an additional monthly expenditure of two and a half crore rupees due to the scarcity of gas. Previously, the cost of gas was 2.5 crores, but now the factory has to spend 5 crores to run its operations through alternative means.
Tarasima Garments in Nayadingi area reported a 50% reduction in production due to the lack of gas, while Munnu Fabrics in Gilund area has been forced to halt production altogether.
The gas crisis in Manikganj has been ongoing for an extended period, intensifying over the last two months. The district experiences no gas pressure during the day, with limited supply available only for 5 hours, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
CNG filling stations in the district are also grappling with the gas shortage, with most establishments facing a complete lack of gas throughout the day. Owners of these stations, such as Abdur Rahman of Rahman CNG and Filling Station, lament that they receive less than 1 psi of gas against the daily requirement of 15 psi. The financial losses incurred by these stations, including salaries and incidental expenses, are pushing them towards closure.
The main reason cited for the gas crisis in Manikganj is the inability of the transmission company, Titus Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited, to supply the required amount of gas. Atiqul Haque Siddiqui, the manager of the Manikganj office, acknowledges the crisis and mentions that Titus gas, supplied through transmission pipes, is unable to meet the demand in the district.
Mahbubul Islam, Deputy Manager of District Bisik Industrial City, emphasizes the crucial role of gas in the production activities of 14 industrial establishments in the city. The lack of gas supply not only disrupts current production but also hinders the growth of new entrepreneurs and investments in industries.
The gas shortage in Manikganj is causing a significant setback to industrial production, affecting numerous factories and businesses. The ripple effects extend beyond the immediate financial burden on industrial owners, as the closure of factories and CNG stations impacts the livelihoods of workers and entrepreneurs. The inability to attract new investments and create opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs further dampens the prospects of industrial development in the district.
Urgent measures are needed to address the root cause of the crisis and ensure a stable and consistent gas supply to support the growth of industries in the region.
Messenger/Rocky
