60 textile mills suffer in Gazipur

A group of primary textile mills in the industrial belt in Gazipur is in fear of losing export-oriented work orders and sales ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr due to a disruption in production caused by low gas pressure.

The gas pressure at more than 60 spinning, dyeing, finishing, printing and weaving mills in Madhabkhola, Sreepur, Baniachala, Bhabanipur, and Gazipur went down to three pounds per square inch (PSI) instead of the required 15 PSI. Many of these units are engaged in producing raw materials for export-oriented garment factories and local markets.

"The affected mills have been unable to operate in full swing for many months now. As a result, many annot execute work orders on time," the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) said in a statement yesterday.

"If low gas pressure continues, paying the workers'wages will be difficult for industry owners."

In a letter on April 7, the BTMA urged state-run Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company to supply gas with adequate pressure to some mills in Madhabkhola, Sreepur, Baniachala, Bhabanipur, and Gazipur.

However, the gas pressure in these areas has deteriorated rather than improve, the statement said. 

Production at mills and factories in the areas has declined by 75 per cent because of falling gas pressure. If the mills can't run properly, there is a possibility of a liquidity crisis at the factories as their business has also declined, the BTMA added.

Ali Iqbal Mohammad Nurullah, managing director of Titas Gas, could not be reached by phone for comments.