Chattogram Gas Crisis Worsens as Fire Hits LNG Terminal

A severe gas crisis has hit Chattogram city in Bangladesh, affecting homes, industries, and CNG stations. The shortage began on July 21 after a fire at Accelerate Energy's floating LNG terminal in Maheshkhali, which reduced gas supply to the national grid.

Residents are facing difficulties cooking due to low gas pressure, with some having to buy food from outside their homes. Jamalkhan resident Rita Rani said she has been without gas since morning for several days, and even at night, the pressure remains low.

Captive power plants and CNG stations are also impacted by the reduced supply, causing long queues of gas-run vehicles at filling stations like Four Star CNG in Kadamtali and Karnaphuli Filling Station in Baklia. Drivers now wait hours for fuel, with some waiting nearly two hours compared to just 10-20 minutes earlier.

KGDCL Deputy General Manager Rafiq Khan said the crisis has persisted for 10 days but worsened over the holidays due to a widening demand-supply gap. Authorities are working round-the-clock to restore normal supply.