With the fall in temperature, gas crisis has started to take shape and may take the form of an acute crisis soon. Recently, 300 million cubic feet LNG supply began in Chittagong and the liquid gas, imported from Qatar, is helping to meet the demand. The gas supplied to Chittagong via the national grid was supposed to be provided to Dhaka and adjacent areas. If that is done then Dhaka dwellers will not face any crisis.

From 18 August last, 300 million cubic feet gas is being supplied to Chattogram from the floating terminal. As a result, the gas extracted from fields, which is 270 cubic feet per day, is being supplied to other areas.

However, since LNG gas supply was snapped between 3 November and 15 November, the gas crisis has come up once again.

Titas, director (operations) Kamruzzaman Khan, said: “Chattogram is getting 300 million cubic feet of LNG plus another 50 million from the national grid.”

As LNG is going to Chattogram, Dhaka is getting gas which is being used to run three fertilizer factories, he added.

There will be a little gas shortage in winter because of rising demand, he said, adding: “during this period, gas is used to cook, dry clothes and heat water while many keep the stoves on to keep the rooms warm.”

The demand of gas will always rise and the full demand will never be met, said Kamruzzaman.

Titas says that against a demand of 2200 million cubic feet of gas the supply is 1700 million cubic feet.

Energy specialist, Shamsul Alam, says: “stealing of gas has to be stopped, the crisis will remain until this is addressed.”

Gas crisis is acute in Mohammadpur, Shamoli, Kalyanpur, Rampura, Bonosree and other areas along with certain parts of old Dhaka.

Housewives are facing the problem as gas supply is weak during the morning hours, slowly picking up late in the afternoon.