Energy adviser says no fresh gas connections for households

No New Household Gas Connections, Confirms Energy Adviser

Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has made it clear that the government will not be providing any new residential gas connections.

"There is no possibility of supplying gas to households. If I had the authority, I would cut off all household gas lines in Dhaka," he said while responding to a query during a visit to the Kailashtila-7 and Sylhet-10 gas wells in Golapganj upazila, Sylhet.

He explained that a significant volume of gas is being wasted through pipeline supply to residences. "Industries and factories are struggling to get enough gas. In this context, continuing residential gas supply is unjustifiable. To stop this waste, household connections should be discontinued," he added.

Regarding long-standing demands from Sylhet residents for residential gas lines, the adviser said the government plans to introduce subsidised Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders as an alternative to pipeline supply.

Khan also noted that gas production is falling by about 200 million cubic feet annually, prompting the government to ramp up Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports. Simultaneously, initiatives are underway to enhance domestic production to reduce dependence on imports.

During the visit, Energy Division Additional Secretary M Khalid Ahmed, Petrobangla Chairman Rehsanul Islam, Bapex Managing Director M Soheb Ahmed, Additional Secretary Monir Hossain, and officials from Kailashtila Gas Field and Plant were present.

The Kailashtila-7 and Sylhet-10 gas wells are currently contributing 16 million cubic feet of gas daily to the national grid. The adviser also inspected the Kailashtila-7 site, BAPEX’s Rig Bijoy-12, the rig pad prepared for workover at Kailashtila-1, and the metering and separation terminal plant at the field.