Ctg faces sudden gas outage

FE REPORT | Published: January 19, 2024 23:47:36

Chattogram residents confronted a sudden and complete halt in gas supply on Friday, with homes, businesses and transportation experiencing widespread disruptions.
Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) -- responsible for distributing gas in the Chattogram district and the Chattogram Hill Tracts -- did not issue prior notice, leaving people unprepared for the inconveniences.
Many residents woke to find their cooking gas gone, forcing them to queue at restaurants. However, even eateries faced cooking difficulties due to the gas outage. In some areas, residents resorted to electric and wood-burning stoves.
The number of CNG-run autorickshaws dropped in the city due to the inconsistent supply at filling stations.
Later, the Energy Division said the gas disruption stemmed from a technical issue at the Maheshkhali floating LNG terminal. They apologised for the inconvenience by admitting the impact on households, businesses and public transportation.
Aminur Rahman, general manager of KGDCL, said that the floating storage and re-gasification unit (FSRU) malfunction caused the suspension. Normalcy will return once the issue is resolved.
Local restaurants were hit hard, offering limited menus or being forced to turn away customers altogether.
The CNG shortage further affected people, with fewer autorickshaws available and those operating charging inflated fares.
Chattogram's daily gas demand stands at 325 million cubic feet and authorities on Friday evening said they were working to restore supply.