Severe gas shortage leaves Feni people struggling

FENI, Aug 16: A severe gas shortage has caused widespread suffering in Feni, with households in the town and different upazilas receiving little or no gas for most of the day, while CNG filling stations have been forced to remain closed.

Residents said gas supply usually stops around 6am and returns late at night, disrupting cooking and daily activities. Many households are now relying on gas cylinders, traditional clay stoves and electric cookers as alternatives.

In some areas, gas pressure is so low that residents cannot cook properly even when there is a nominal supply.

The shortage has also brought CNG-powered vehicles to a standstill. At the Star Line CNG Filling Station in Lalpool area of Feni town, gas supply has reportedly remained suspended since 11am on Wednesday.

Mohammad Manik, a pickup driver, said he had left Chattogram for Noakhali after purchasing Tk 1,400 worth of gas, but ran out of fuel on the way.

“After failing to get gas at the Star Line station, I waited at a pump in Noakhali from 2am until 8am and managed to get gas worth Tk 500. I then came to the Star Line station in Feni and have been waiting here. If gas becomes available, I will leave for Chattogram,” he said.

Morshed Alam, Assistant Manager of the Star Line CNG Filling Station, said gas supply had remained suspended since Wednesday morning.

“CNG-run auto-rickshaws are coming here for gas and leaving without getting any. Our staff are simply sitting idle,” he said, adding that officials of Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company had indicated that supply might resume after 72 hours.

Jannatul Naim Jannat, a homemaker in West Sonapur, said gas goes off at around 6am and returns around 1am.

“We are suffering a lot. We have to cook on a clay stove and also use cylinders. We urge the government to resolve the crisis quickly,” she said.

Mohammad Naim, a resident of the area who works abroad, said the high price of cylinders had forced many households to use traditional clay stoves.

Mohammad Zafar Uddin, an industrial entrepreneur and owner of a CNG filling station in Feni, said the gas shortage was hurting businesses and affecting thousands of workers.

“The crisis is affecting people's daily lives and creating uncertainty. We urge the government to resolve it as soon as possible,” he said.

Md Akhtaruzzaman, Deputy General Manager of Feni Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Ltd, said the combined gas demand of Feni, Noakhali and Laxmipur was around 28-30 million cubic feet per day, while supply stood at only 14-15 million cubic feet.

“As we have to distribute the available gas among consumers, many are receiving low pressure. We are in communication with the authorities concerned and hope the problem will be resolved soon,” he said.

Residents and business owners are now urging the authorities to take immediate measures to restore normal gas supply.