People in the port city are experiencing severe gas supply shortage in the month of Ramadan, as the gas distribution authority concerned cannot supply half of the natural gas demand.
In some parts of the city, the domestic gas burners run dry from 7.00 am and gas is again available after 8.00 pm, while some areas get gas supply at around 12.00 am, said local residents.
Gas pressure in domestic burners is badly required during the afternoon, when the housewives need it for preparing iftar.
Three major service providers -- Bangladesh Power Development Board, Chattogram WASA (CWASA) and Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) -- had assured the city dwellers before the beginning of Ramadan of uninterrupted supply of power, water and gas during the holy month.
The supply of electricity and water has improved since the beginning of Ramadan.
Residents of Bakolia, Patharghata, Ghatforhadbag and Feringee Bazar - the worst suffering areas in terms of electricity supply in the city, said power supply has improved a lot over the last week. Besides, water supply by CWASA has also improved considerably.
The KGDCL officials said they are not getting adequate gas from the national grid. So they cannot supply gas to the domestic consumers in line with their demand.
According to KGDCL control room officials, they expected supply of more gas for Chattogram from the national grid during the Ramadan. However, the supply has reduced.
So, the domestic gas users along with the industrial and commercial users are suffering from gas supply shortage.
The control room said they have received complaints from areas including Bakolia, Chandgaon, Badurtala, Chawkbazar, Panchlaish, Khulshi, Lalkhan Bazar, Anderkilla, Askhar Dighi, Kazir Dewri, Feringee Bazar, Agrabad, Pahartoli and Sholashahar about disruption in gas supply.
KGDCL Managing Director Khayez Ahmed Majumder said he has already informed the authority concerned, and also written a letter to Petrobangla for enhancing gas supply to Chattogram.
