Gas supply to return to normal within days: PM's adviser

The government's initiatives and arrangements for importing LNG from alternative sources will restore gas supply to normal within the next few days, said Prime Minister's Economic and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir.

He made the remarks as chief guest at a seminar titled 'Energy Security in Bangladesh: From Crisis Management to Resilient Energy Transition' at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on Monday, September 7.

The prime minister's adviser said the Prime Minister had acknowledged that energy security could not be ensured. "We are aware of the public suffering. We are not the kind of government that would cover everything up and create a fictional narrative whose consequence would be a catastrophic situation like a bursting balloon."

He said the government is sympathetic to the people and entrepreneurs of Bangladesh for failing to ensure energy security. "This is a failure," he admitted.

Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said current gas demand is 3,800 MMCFD, while supply stands at 2,600 to 2,700 MMCFD. Of this, 1,600 MMCFD comes from domestic sources and 1,000 MMCFD from LNG.

He said total demand, including pending applications, is 5,200 million cubic feet. The government has already taken various initiatives to meet this demand.

He said the process of appointing an operator for the Single Point Mooring system is in its final stages. The jet fuel pipeline from Kanchpur to Dhaka Airport's third terminal will be operational by November, significantly reducing fuel discharge complications and logistics costs.