Residents blocked the Dhaka-Aricha Highway in Dhaka's Dhamrai on Monday, demanding an adequate supply of residential gas. The blockade was lifted around noon after the administration assured protesters that steps would be taken to address the issue.
The demonstration began around 9:30am in the Kalampur area of the upazila, triggering several kilometres of traffic congestion on both sides of the highway and causing significant suffering for commuters.
The protesters said residential customers of Titas Gas in Goaldi, Batulia, Mahishashi, Kawalipara and parts of Saturia had been experiencing inadequate gas supply for nearly two years.
Although they have gas connections, they said, the pressure is so low that stoves often fail to ignite, forcing them to rely on LPG cylinders, firewood and other alternative fuels while continuing to pay regular gas bills.
In a written complaint submitted to Titas Gas authorities, residents said gas is supplied to the area through the District Regulating Station (DRS) west of the Kalampur bus stand, but insufficient pressure has left households without an adequate supply.
The complaint also alleged that a re-rolling mill east of the DRS and a ceramic factory near the Kalampur BSCIC Industrial Estate were illegally using booster pumps to draw excess gas, worsening the shortage for residential consumers. The companies' responses to the allegations were not immediately available.
The protesters demanded that gas bills be waived until a regular supply is restored and that gas meters be installed in residential connections so customers are billed based on actual consumption.
Sultana Begum, a resident of Kalampur, said: "We couldn't cook in the morning or even eat. Our only demand is an adequate gas supply. The bills for the period we did not receive gas should also be waived."
Another resident, Shahana Akhtar, said her family was unable to prepare breakfast because of the shortage.
Meanwhile, commuters expressed frustration over the prolonged traffic disruption.
Shahinur Islam, who was travelling from Manikganj to Dhaka, said: "The road has been blocked for hours, and ordinary people are suffering."
After receiving information about the protest, Dhamrai Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Al Mamun visited the site and assured demonstrators that the administration would discuss the matter with Titas Gas authorities.
The protesters withdrew the blockade at around 12pm following the assurance.
