Acute gas crisis hits Chattogram city residents hard

UNB, Chattogram :

Different areas in Chattogram city have been experiencing shortage or low pressure in gas supply for the past one and a half months, hampering the household chores and production at industrial units.
City dwellers said although the gas crisis started in the mid October, it has intensified recently. Some of them alleged that they do not get any gas even in 24 hours.
According to Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL), the gas shortage in Chattogram port city turned acute due to suspension of gas supply from one of the two LNG terminals in Moheshkhali.
Besides, the authorities also suspended gas supply in households due to maintenance purposes.
KGDCL authorities said Chattogram used to some 310-400 million cubic feet of gas from the national grid during normal time but on January 3 it reveived only 280 million cubic feet.
The city dwellers have been experiencing the gas crisis since October 22 and gas supply remains suspended from 9 am to 3 pm in most of the areas.
KGDCL authorities said the gas shortage may continue for a long time due to low pressure of gas supply from Moheshkhali LNG gas terminal.
Meanwhile, Omar Hazzaz, president, Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCI), urged State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid to take necessary steps to mitigate the sufferings of the consumers.
He also sent a letter to the minister on Wednesday.
“Chattogram needs 400-450 million cubic feet of gas but only 280 million cubic feet is available now. Of the total gas, nearly 100 million cubic feet gas is used in two fertilizer factories and one thermal power plant while the rest are being distributed to the residents, industries and CNG filling stations, which is not sufficient,” the letter reads.
The rest of the gas is being distributed to a large number of residential consumers in the city, factories and CNG stations using various strategic methods. As a result, the factories and households are facing a serious gas crisis, it added.
Managing director of KGDCL (operation division), Engineer Aminur Rahman, said the people of Chattogram port city depend on LNG gas supply and the supply of gas has reduced remarkably. “It is difficult to say how long the crisis will stay,” he added. Talking to some residents in Lalkhan Bazar, Kazir Dewri, Askar DighirPar, Khulshi, Jamal Khan lane, Dewanji Pukur Par, Dewan Bazar, Hem Sen Lane, Shulokbohor, Ghat Farhadbegh, Bakolia, Chawkbazar and others area, this UNB correspondent found that people of those areas are passing their days in misery during this winter.