Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj

The industrial sector in Narayanganj has been grappling with a prolonged gas crisis. On Saturday (June 21), the Chairman of Petrobangla (Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corporation) Md. Rezanur Rahman and the Managing Director (MD) of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, Shahnewaz Parvez, visited the area. Due to the acute gas shortage in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj, production in over a hundred industrial factories has collapsed, with several already shutting down operations. Factory owners are facing severe financial losses, and they allege that this crisis has persisted for nearly three years.

According to them, the shift to compressed natural gas (CNG) and diesel-run generators has significantly increased operational costs, while production capacity has dropped. If the situation doesn’t improve soon, losses will continue to mount.

After inspecting the oven dyeing unit of 'Mithila Textile'—a green-certified factory with a LEED Platinum certificate located in Khanpara, Duptara Union, Araihazar—Petrobangla Chairman Md. Rezanur Rahman said, “I came to observe the gas supply firsthand. I have verified the shortage. We are working to resolve this crisis.”

Azhar Khan, Chairman of Mithila Group, stated that since October 2024, gas pressure during the day has fallen to between 0.5 and 1 PSI, while at night it reaches only 1.5 to 2 PSI. “It has become extremely difficult to keep the factory running under such conditions. Production in more than 150 factories across the upazila is being disrupted,” he said.

MD Shahnewaz Parvez explained, “Gas supply is low across the country. Moreover, Araihazar is located at the tail-end of the supply line. After other industrial areas draw their share, the remaining pressure is too low in Araihazar. The government is actively working to resolve this issue.”