Bangladesh's Gas Crisis Paralyzes Economy and Daily Life

A severe natural gas crisis has crippled Bangladesh's economy and daily life as factories, homes, and transportation struggle to access fuel. The crisis has led to power cuts, protests, and a decline in the country's fertiliser production.

The Ashuganj fertiliser factory, once one of the country's largest producers with over 1,200 employees, has been shut down since March 2025 due to gas shortages. The plant was built near the eastern Titas gas field, but underinvestment in ageing fields and exploration, combined with disruptions in imports from the Middle East, have contributed to the crisis.

The government has ordered shopping malls to close an hour earlier as part of electricity-saving measures, while households are also affected by the shortages. Housewife Nargis Begum said she doesn't receive any gas overnight and often struggles to turn on multiple burners due to low pressure.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku blamed the previous government for failing to drill new wells, while experts say investing in renewable energy could provide a long-term solution. The government plans to buy two drilling rigs and launch an offshore bidding round, but some believe it may take years to resolve the crisis.