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Gas rationing frustrates investors in N dists

200 entrepreneurs hesitant as supply limited to 81mm eft a day

Golam Mostafa, sirajganj
Frustration grips the industrial entrepreneurs in northern region due to limiting of gas supply under Pashchimanchal Gas Company Ltd (PGCL).
Set up at Nalka in Sirajganj district, Pashchimanchal Gas Company Ltd started functioning on November 29 in 1999 and it opened scope for installation of gas-run industries in Rajshahi division.
The company supplies gas to houses, industries and different power plants in the region includ-ing Sirajganj, Ullapara, Shahzadpur, Baghabari, Pabna, Ishwardi and Bogra municipality areas and gas supply to Rajshahi city will start in a short time, sources said.
At present, the demand of gas in the area is 85 million cubic feet a day. In the current year, more 160 million cubic feet gas will be required a day to run different gasrun industries including 450MW power plant at Sirajganj. 140MW
barge mounted power plant at Baghabari, 10MW power plant at Ullapara, two 45 MW power plants at Bogra and CNG stations in the region.
A meeting of power and mineral resources ministry’ on February 20 this year decided to impose rationing of gas supply to the northern region, under which only 81 million cubic feet gas will be supplied to the PGCL per day until February 2009.
Following the decision, new entrepreneurs are apprehending that their huge investment will badly suffer if they fail to get connection and sufficient supply of gas. The situation may hit tire national economy, said several local elites including members of Sirajganj Swartho Rakkha Sangram Committee.
Many gas-based industries have been established in Sirajganj district and other areas of the northern region and tire prospect of such industries including CNG stations seems good if gas supply is ensured, said DrZahurul Huq Raza,
joint convener of Sirajganj Swartho Rakkha Songram Committee.
Following the establishment of PGCL here, Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) in Sirajganj undertook different plans to establish gas-nin industries but their future now seems uncertain due to the rationingsystem.
Authorities of Jibonnesa Chemicals Company, MA Matin Cotton Mills, Rafique Merchandise Ltd, Ekota Process Mill, Bhai Bhai Casting and Foundry, Salam Chemical Industry, Aluminium Casting Industries, Popy Food Products Ltd, Bushra Enterprises, ACI Food Company in Sirajganj told this correspondent that they are facing trouble in production due to limited supply of gas.
The situation may worsen in near future, if more industries are installed in the region and the rationing system continues.
Abdul Latif, AGM of BSCIC in Sirajganj, said if the rationing system continues, many promoters of industries would face huge
loss and lose their interest to establish industries.
A senior officer of PGCL seeking anonymity said many promoters of industries have started drawing back after start of the rationing system as they arc apprehending severe gas crisis in near future.
Over two hundred people earlier applied for gas connection to proposed industries at different places In the northern region but many of the applicants have postponed their initiative, fearing scarcity of gas in future, he said.
Proposed Solonga CNG Station, North Bengal CNG Station, Hatikumrul CNG Station, Shishir Textile Mills and Mirza Composite and Textile Mills are among the many organisations that have lost spirit on tire midway, he added.
Entrepreneurs have demanded that the authorities concerned ensure smooth supply of gas to enable their industries run production as per market demand.