People living in ward 15 of Gazipur City Corporation have been suffering from a severe gas crisis for the last two months, as the authorities concerned have failed to provide sufficient gas to the city dwellers.
Local residents have become frustrated at not receiving gas on time. They said they had informed Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Ltd authorities about the crisis, but the residents’ attempts have proved futile as the authorities concerned are yet to take any measures to ease their suffering.
Residents are anxious that their suffering will continue in the coming days, with Eid-ul-Azha approaching in a few days.
Sahana Sultana, a resident of Bhogra village, said if the gas crisis continues, she will not be able to stay in the area any longer.
“We have a gas stove, but no gas. We receive the gas late at night, which is why we have to remain awake to cook at that time. Sometimes, however, we get no gas at all even late at night.
She said the gas supply pressure starts dropping from 8am and stops completely within an hour.
“Sometimes we are compelled to cook on earthen ovens, as we have to feed our family, but at the end of the month, we pay the gas tariff.”
Haji Abdus Samad, another resident of Bhogra, told the Dhaka Tribune that local factories were receiving sufficient gas via thick pipes, but residential areas were affected by a severe gas shortage. This was discrimination.
He said: “For the last two months, we have remained without gas in our homes from early morning to night.”
He also alleged that some knitwear factories were procuring gas through illegal lines, were not facing any crisis, and running their production smoothly, but local authorities kept a blind eye over the issue.
Abdul Mannan said they had been suffering from a severe gas shortage. He said: “The crisis has led many tenants to plan to leave the area. Many have already left. Eid-ul-Azha will be here in a few days, but what will happen to us then? All of our joy is fading due to this severe gas crisis.
“Finding no other alternative, I have bought a gas cylinder at an unusually high price,” he added.
He also said many were compelled to buy food from eateries.
Saiful Islam, zonal manager of Gazipur Titas, told the Dhaka Tribune that residents of some areas were suffering from a severe gas shortage as pressure on the gas pipeline has reduced by a great extent.
He said they had already informed senior authorities about this matter, and expressed the hope that residents of Bhogra would soon be rid of the crisis.