Anisul Islam Noor :
The government has decided to give gas connections to 147 industries and at the same time allowed additional load increase to 111 production units after a closure for two years.
The approval has been given recently by a high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury.
After scrutiny of nearly 2,500 applications, the committee approved these industries for new gas connections as well as additional load increase after two years. Of them, 14 industries are listed with the capital market, sources said.
Gas distribution companies are likely to provide gas connections to these industries within one and half of a month after fitting the gas connection equipment.
According to Petrobangla, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited has been granted the highest approval for new connections and load-ups in the industries. It will provide 79 new connections as well as increase loads in 81 industries.
On the other hand, Jalalabad Gas Distributing System Limited will increase the load in five industries and provide new connections to 20 industries. The Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company will increase the load to 23 industries and provide new connections to 25 industries. The Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company will increase the load to two industries and new connections to nine industries, while the Western Gas Company will provide new gas connections to 14 industries.
Petrobangla Chairman Abul Mansur Md. Faizullah told reporters on Tuesday that the industries have been given priority in using gas. As gas connections were closed to the industries for long period, many applications got accrued to the distribution companies.
He said many industrial plants could not start production due to lack of gas. Connection was closed due to gas crisis only. Now, after scrutiny, 147 new gas connection permissions and 111 additional loads increase approvals have been approved, he said.
The Petrobangla chairman said the gas distribution line should be near the factories. No connection will be given to extend the new line. He, however, said it does not hamper the gas supply in down stream areas.
According to the data, among the companies that have been listed for gas connections, nine are in the capital market. These are Olympic Industries, Tashreefa Industries, Premier Cement, Jina Knitwear, GPH Steel, BSRM Steel, Far Chemical and Pran Agro limited. Two connections for Tashrifah have been approved, which has a meter.
Meanwhile, five companies that have been listed with the capital market will be able to increase their load. These include RAC Ceramic, Apollo Steel, BSRM, Country Garments.
Most of the new connections are for industries only. However, nine non-industrial houses like Phulbaria Government Staff Hospital, Nursing Student Hostel of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Islamic Eye Hospital in Dhaka, and Al Haramain Hospital in Sylhet have been listed for connection.. There are also two commercial establishments and a tea garden.
According to sources, many industrialists are counting loss everyday after investing millions of taka due to lack of gas connection. Many industrialists are doubtful about whether they will get the gas connection on priority or not.
It is to be noted that, in the year 2015, 193 new industrial units were allowed to connect gas. The remaining 162 were allowed to increase load. Of them, 15 were not connected due to the wrong address.
Sources said, due to the gas crisis, the government decided to stop gas connection in the industries four years ago. Notwithstanding few industries were given connections before it was totally closed in 2016.
