Staff Reporter :
Titas Gas is preparing to undertake a major infrastructure overhaul worth Tk8,069 crore, aimed at replacing deteriorating gas pipelines and resolving chronic issues of low pressure and leakage in Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur.
Spanning five and a half years-from July 2025 to December 2030-the project will replace 2,781 km of outdated pipelines, many of which date back to 1968. This upgrade is expected to improve gas pressure for nearly 75% of Titas’s consumers and cut annual system losses by Tk767 crore.
By installing modern pipelines, the risk of gas-related accidents will be significantly reduced, ensuring a more stable and secure energy supply.
Minimising traffic impact: One of the key challenges will be managing the inevitable traffic disruption caused by the excavation of major roads. To address this, the Planning Commission has advised the formation of a multi-agency task force to supervise and coordinate the work.
Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan explained that excavation efforts will be meticulously planned with input from relevant authorities. “We will follow a staggered approach-no two roads will be excavated simultaneously,” he said. Each segment will be completed swiftly, with detours and alternative routes arranged ahead of time to keep traffic moving. The project will also introduce new safety mechanisms, including an automatic shut-off system that activates during earthquakes.
Funding breakdown and project justification: The Tk8,069 crore initiative will be funded through a combination of government financing (Tk3,917 crore), Titas’s own funds (Tk821 crore), and a loan from the New Development Bank (Tk3,331 crore).
Officials say the massive upgrade is critical, as the current network-over 50 years old-is no longer adequate to meet today’s demands. Rapid urbanisation has led to consumption levels far beyond the original system’s capacity, resulting in poor pressure during peak times. Moreover, damage from overlapping utility work has weakened protective layers, leading to dangerous leaks and energy losses.
The new system will dramatically boost capacity, raising supply from 275 mmcfd to 1,008 mmcfd, thereby eliminating many of the existing problems and ensuring long-term reliability.
