United News of Bangladesh

With Ramadan only a couple of days away, a sudden pipeline gas crisis has left many households in Dhaka anxious, compounding worries over the rising prices of essential commodities ahead of the holy month. For Rahela Begum, a resident of Old Dhaka, the trouble began in her kitchen. “I was preparing lunch for my son. After processing fish and vegetables, I found there was no gas in the stove. Gas did not come the whole day and I had to buy food from a hotel. I have no idea when gas will be available. I am worried if this continues during Ramadan,” she said. As Ramadan approaches, a time when kitchens remain busy from pre-dawn sehri to evening iftar, uncertainty over gas supply has deepened her concern. Kohinur Begum from Shantinagar faced a similar situation on Sunday. She said she struggled to cook meals due to extremely low gas pressure and is unsure whether the supply will stabilise before the fasting month begins. The crisis has coincided with a fresh spike in the prices of several essentials further straining low- and middle-income households.  Ansiur Rahman, a resident of Kalabagan, said the dual pressure of gas shortages and price hikes has made life more difficult for people in some areas. “It is not only the gas crisis, but also the rising prices of essential goods that are causing concern ahead of Ramadan.” Consumers said the prices of key Ramadan items such as chickpeas, broiler chicken, lemons and other iftar ingredients have surged despite what traders claim is adequate import and local production. In the past two days alone, chickpeas have risen by Tk 10 per kilogram and broiler chicken by Tk 20 per kilogram, adding to the financial burden on families preparing for the fasting month. Many consumers allege that Ramadan has become a season of profit for some traders, who raise prices under various pretexts, including claims of supply disruptions or artificial shortages. They also point out that, amid the recent national election, market monitoring by district administrations and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection has not been as visible as usual. Taking advantage of the situation, some traders are allegedly hoarding commodities and creating artificial scarcity, further squeezing household budgets. Ironically, just a week ago, traders had assured that markets were well-stocked with essential food items ahead of Ramadan.  At a stakeholders’ meeting in Motijheel reviewing import, stock, supply and pricing of Ramadan essentials, traders told the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) that there was little risk of abnormal price hikes during the holy month. To cushion off the impact on consumers, the government has announced plans to sell milk, eggs, beef and dressed broiler meat at subsidised rates during Ramadan. Under the scheme, dressed broiler meat will be sold at Tk 245 per kilogram, pasteurised milk at Tk 80 per litre, eggs at Tk 8 each and beef at Tk 650 per kilogram. Besides, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has initiated nationwide truck sales of essential items ahead of Ramadan. Meanwhile, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC has attributed the acute low gas pressure to a temporary shutdown of one of the floating terminals supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG). In a statement on Sunday, Titas said supply in areas under its jurisdiction, including Dhaka and adjoining districts, has experienced a severe pressure drop that may continue for more than 24 hours. Low gas pressure in Titas areas to last over 24 hours The maintenance work at one LNG terminal has significantly reduced the volume of regasified LNG being fed into the national grid, resulting in a sharp decline in supply pressure.  Residential, commercial and industrial consumers are likely to experience low gas pressure at the end-user level until midnight on February 16, the company said, expressing regret for the inconvenience.  For thousands of families in the capital, however, the uncertainty lingers.