Port city faces gas crunch
Since Friday, many port city residents have been suffering from an acute gas shortage as Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDL) has started its pipeline maintenance work.
Though KGDL issued a notice on July 24, most of the residents said they were unaware of it as, according to them, KGDL ran a “poor campaign” in this regard.
Meanwhile, people in the affected areas have been relying on restaurants or alternative methods of cooking. The shortage of gas in CNG stations also left CNG-run vehicles in crisis.
Residents of Bandar, Halishahar, Nayabazar, Double Mooring, Agrabad, Chowmuhani, Kazir Dewri, Lalkhan Bazar and many other areas have been facing the gas crisis since Friday morning, they said.
According to KGDL officials, the maintenance works would be finished by today.
Mamun Mia, a resident of Port North Colony of Bandar, said “There has been no gas since Friday morning in my area. We had to buy food from a restaurant.”
Debbabrata Roy, a resident of Double Mooring area, said, “We didn't hear anything about the KGDL notice. We woke up on Friday and found that no gas was available.”
“KGDL should have notified us properly. They could have used loudspeakers or launched a comprehensive campaign. We are suffering because of their poor campaigning,” he added.
Tahmina Hayat Chowdhury, a housewife in Halishahar area, said, “Even the restaurants are running low on food as people are thronging there.”
While visiting many abovementioned areas, this correspondent saw large crowds in front of the restaurants. Many alleged that taking advantage of the crisis, restaurants were charging extra.
Ezaz Mahmud was waiting in a queue in front of a restaurant in Lalkhan Bazar area. “The sudden gas crisis affected the eateries too. They are also facing difficulties in meeting the demand.”
“The authorities could have run the notice on television or social media to alert us,” he added.
According to KGDL, it started the maintenance work of the 58km high-pressured Chittagong ring main pipeline from Friday morning with an aim to increase gas pressure.
Contacted, Khayez Ahmed Mazumdar, managing director of KGDL, said, “The maintenance work is being conducted in four segments. The work for Foujdarhat-Patenga pipeline was finished by Friday evening and gas supply in Halishahar area resumed the same night. Rest of the works would be finished by today.”
“The areas we are covering as part of our maintenance work would face the low gas pressure,” he said, adding, “Gas supply will resume at normal pressure once the work is completed.”
When asked about the “poor campaign”, he said they published a notice in local newspapers at least two days ahead of the work. “It's our regular practice.”
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