Industries resume production in Madhabpur as gas grid gets input
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Industrial activity has resumed once again in the industrial area of Madhabpur in Habiganj, which had come to a standstill due to a gas crisis over the past few days. As gas pressure began to normalize from Saturday morning, production operations have started resuming at 24 heavy industrial factories in the upazila.
Relief has been seen at various establishments, including Badsha Pioneer Denim, Matador, Jamuna Industrial Park, Sayham Group, and Far East Spinning.
Industry insiders reported that gas supply had decreased since Wednesday afternoon, causing production to halt at various factories in Madhabpur. For nearly three consecutive days, the gas crisis rendered production lines virtually inoperable at many factories. Despite having demand and purchase orders, entrepreneurs faced significant pressure as they were unable to manufacture products.
Export-oriented factories, in particular, grew anxious about delivering goods on time. The production shutdown not only caused business losses but also created uncertainty about employment for workers and employees.
Abul Hossain, General Manager (Engineering) of Jamuna Industrial Park in Madhabpur, said that production could not be maintained due to lean gas pressure. Now that pressure is beginning to increase, factories are gradually becoming operational again, and workers are returning to their jobs.
Suman Ahmed, General Manager of Far East Spinning Mill in Teliapara, said that the lack of gas for several days had caused a major slowdown in production operations. With the situation improving from Saturday morning, they are now able to return to production.
Syed Shahadat Hossain, Administrative Officer of Star Ceramics, said gas supply resumed from Saturday morning. If pressure remains stable, it will be possible to resume full-scale production quickly.
Md. Khaled Ghani, Manager of Shahjibazar Jalalabad Gas Transmission and Distribution System Limited, said gas supply has been restored to 81 small and large industrial factories from 8 AM on Saturday. Currently, gas pressure is satisfactory, and the situation is being monitored.
It has been learned that the crisis had intensified due to disruptions in gas supply from the floating LNG terminal in Chittagong and increased gas demand at the national level. This had impacted the industrial area of Habiganj as well. Later, as LNG supply normalized, pressure on the national grid decreased, and gas flow began to increase in Madhabpur as well.
