Gas rationing plan okayed
These two-stroke three wheelers were banned in the capital during the last BNP-led government's ruling, as the vehicles pollute the environment. They are now running on the city's outskirts after being converted to run on CNG. The photo was taken at Keraniganj yesterday. Photo: Shawkat Jamil
The energy ministry yesterday approved a proposal of Petrobangla for starting a gas rationing plan to ease the ongoing gas supply crisis across the country, especially in the capital soon.
"We have decided to start the gas rationing soon. We will send the minutes of the today's meeting to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for final approval.
"As per the directive of the PMO, we will implement it," M Mohsin, secretary of the energy ministry told BSS.
According to the Petrobangla, the Titas Gas System is now getting 1,425 million cubic feet (mmcf) of gas against its demand for 1,675 mmcf per day.
Due to this huge shortfall, residential consumers and CNG stations are facing gas crisis during the last few weeks. The power sector and the fertiliser factories are also facing troubles due to the gas shortage.
The present crisis, a common scenario in winter, is taking place as the amount of condensate (a petroleum product) has increased in gas, which finally creates problems in the distribution system.
"We don't have any system to stop gas supply in any particular areas or zones as we supply all gas from a common grid.
"The business community has come forward to help ease the problem and we both agree to start the gas rationing," the energy secretary said.
Aiming at achieving the goal of the Petrobangla, its officials sat with the leaders of BKMEA, BGMEA, BTME and FBCCI on Tuesday.
The association leaders agreed to start implementing the gas rationing plan in different zones in separate days.
The meeting also decided to cut the gas supply from Siddhirganj Power Plant to facilitate the textile factories and other industries in Muktarpur under Munshiganj district.
At present, the country is producing 1,900-1,960 mmcf gas per day against the demand for 2,400 mmcf. The power sector is now getting 670 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) gas against its demand for 870 mmcfd.
The fertilier sector is consuming 200-215 mmcfd gas against its regular demand for 250 mmcfd to 270 mmcfd and the non bulk (residential, industrial and CNG stations) 1,040 mmcfd against their demand for around 1,200 mmcfd.
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