The gas crisis that started in Bangladesh on July 21 is now having a serious impact on the country's industrial sector. Due to the acute shortage of gas, many factories have reduced production and some industries have closed, while thousands of workers are being sent on leave. Bangladeshi newspaper 'The Daily Star' has reported this.
According to the report, the crisis has further increased due to the closure of the terminal on Wednesday after the gas stock at Accelerate Energy's LNG terminal ran out. Since most of the gas available in the National Grid is supplied to power generation projects, gas dependent industries are not getting the full supply.
Textile industry, readymade garments, steel, glass, food processing and other gas-based industries have been most affected by this crisis. Factories and captive power plants with gas-fired boilers now have to use expensive other fuels.
100 textile factories closed in Narsindi
Production has stopped in more than 100 textile factories in Narsindi district in the last two days because the gas pressure has become almost zero. According to Industrialist, the gas pressure, which is usually 15 psi, initially dropped to 2-4 psi and has now reached almost zero. Since Narsindi is an important district for about 70 percent of Bangladesh's textile supply, the impact of this crisis is likely to be large-scale.
Garment industries in Ghazipur, Narayanganj and Savar have also been badly affected by the gas shortage. Many factories are making their employees work in different shifts to continue production. Due to this there has been a decline of 20 to 25 percent in production. The operating costs of factories have increased almost five times because gas-fired generators now have to run on fuel oil.
Employees of 20 factories in Bhaluka Industrial Area of Mymensingh have been sent on short leave. Of the 293 factories in the area, 99 are dependent on gas and almost all are facing gas shortage. According to the regional office of Titus Gas, the pressure of the gas pipeline in the area has reduced from 140 and 50 psi to 30 to 50 psi.
Even if production reduces due to gas shortage or factories remain closed, owners have to pay salaries to their employees. Also, there are delays in the supply of export goods and there is a fear that if the shipment is not made on time, they will have to resort to expensive air freight.
Also read-
- Attack on Pak Army in Balochistan, 13 killed