Staff Reporter :
Chattogram is facing a severe gas shortage of approximately 80 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), severely disrupting both industrial operations and household consumption.
Energy sector officials have attributed the crisis to reduced imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which the region relies on exclusively via the Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited.
According to data from Karnaphuli Gas, supply has recently dropped to around 250 mmcfd against a daily demand ranging from 312 to 350 mmcfd.
On 5 May, the city received only 267 mmcfd. The shortfall is most acute in energy-intensive sectors such as steel, cement, ship-breaking, ready-made garments (RMG), and corrugated sheet manufacturing.
Chattogram houses over 3,000 factories, including 1,200 heavy industrial units.
Former BGMEA Vice President Rakibul Alam Chowdhury noted that RMG factories are particularly hard-hit. “Those with urgent shipments are resorting to alternative fuels to maintain operations, but this has more than doubled their production costs,” he said.
The crisis has also forced the shutdown of Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Limited (CUFL), while only one fertiliser plant-Karnafuli Fertiliser Company Limited (Kafco)-remains in operation. CUFL has been offline since 11 April due to a lack of gas supply.
Karnaphuli Gas General Manager (Operations) Aminur Rahman confirmed that CUFL is currently not receiving any gas, adding, “Industrial units and households share the same supply network. We do not believe the shortage is specific to industries.”
Nonetheless, industrial users argue otherwise. Amirul Haque, Managing Director of Premier Cement, said the ongoing crisis is raising operational costs across the board. “Factories are incurring heavy losses due to alternative energy expenses. For the country’s industrial progress, this crisis must be addressed immediately.”
Rimon Barua, General Manager (Production) of GPH Ispat, added, “Low gas pressure forces us to halt production intermittently, affecting our ability to meet targets.”
Chattogram’s dependency on LNG means any disruption at the Maheshkhali terminals in Cox’s Bazar quickly translates into local shortages. The two floating terminals there have a combined capacity of around 1,100 mmcfd, but recent supply has dipped by as much as 300-400 mmcfd due to reduced imports and maintenance-related issues.
Md. Shah Alam, General Manager (LNG) at Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited – a Petrobangla subsidiary-confirmed that actual LNG supply remains below capacity. “On 5 May, we were able to supply only 840 mmcfd from the terminals,” he said.
Widespread Impact Chattogram has over 600,000 gas connections, including residential users now facing supply disruptions. Sector-specific demand includes 50-60 mmcfd for industries, 35 mmcfd for households, 46 mmcfd for Kafco, 44 mmcfd for CUFL, 40-42 mmcfd for the Raozan power plant, and 32-37 mmcfd for the Shikalbaha plant.
The combined effect of reduced supply, rising costs, and operational shutdowns is threatening the region’s economic momentum, with industrial leaders urging swift government action to restore gas flow and stabilise production capacity.
