Although the damaged gas pipeline beneath the Turag River has been repaired, water entering the line during repairs has forced authorities to reduce gas pressure, intensifying the gas crisis in the capital.
On Thursday, Titas Gas said that the damaged gas distribution pipeline under the Turag River at Amin Bazar—hit by the anchor of a cargo trawler—had been repaired. However, water entered the pipeline during the repair process. As a result, gas pressure has been reduced, leading to severe low pressure across the Dhaka metropolitan area. Efforts to restore normal pressure are ongoing, and Titas Gas authorities apologized to customers for the temporary inconvenience.
Earlier, on Wednesday evening, Titas Operation Division General Manager Kazi Mohammad Saidul Hasan told Dhaka Tribune that the pipeline had been damaged several days earlier by a ship’s anchor.
“Local people informed us after noticing bubbles rising in the water. We then started work,” he said. “During this time, gas problems were observed from Gabtoli to Asad Gate. For safety reasons, gas pressure was reduced in several areas, including Mohammadpur.”
Due to the gas leakage and subsequent pressure reduction, several hundred thousand customers in parts of Dhaka—including Mohammadpur, Adabar, Gabtoli, Dhanmondi, and areas from Amin Bazar to Asad Gate—faced severe gas shortages on Thursday.
Rokhsana Marjia from Uttara said: “There has been no gas at home since morning. I went to a restaurant to buy food and saw huge crowds. Somehow I fought my way through and bought some tehari. Otherwise, I would have had to survive on roti and bananas for lunch today. Now I’m hearing that gas may return after 10 pm.”
Rayer Bazar resident Shaila Ahmed said: “Gas came with strong pressure in the morning. I was very happy—I hadn’t seen such pressure throughout the entire winter. But shortly afterward, the pressure dropped again and the flame almost went out. I can’t even heat water. How long do we have to suffer like this just for gas?”