Four top trade bodies seek zonal gas rationing

Four major trade associations—BGMEA, BKMEA, BTMA and BTTLMEA—have submitted a joint petition to state-owned Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL), calling for immediate gas reallocation and a weekly zonal rationing scheme to prevent widespread factory shutdowns.
The joint letter, signed by leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and Bangladesh Terry Towel and Linen Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BTTLMEA), points to a severe disparity in national gas distribution that has left key manufacturing hubs under-pressurised and unable to meet export deadlines.
According to the letter, more than 90% of Bangladesh’s textile and garment manufacturing base is concentrated within the Titas Gas franchise area, with around 6,500 textile and garment factories, or 94% of the country’s total, located in the area.
These factories employ 12 million workers, or 92% of the sector’s workforce, and generate US$52 billion in export earnings, the trade bodies said.
Based on an analysis of gas supply from 5 to 9 September, the four trade bodies found a significant disparity in gas distribution.
Titas accounts for 75.88%, or 1,488 mmcfd, of the national approved industrial and captive gas load, according to the letter. GTCL was supposed to supply 980 mmcfd to the area, but Titas’ actual daily gas receipt averaged 883.20 mmcfd, equivalent to 70.28% of its allocation, resulting in a significant daily shortfall.
At the same time, some areas are receiving gas above their allocation, the trade bodies said.
They said five other regional gas distribution companies received 373.60 mmcfd, exceeding their proportional share by 70.37 mmcfd.
Rather than allowing all industrial zones to suffer simultaneous operational paralysis and low gas pressure, the trade bodies have proposed a structured rotation scheme.
They asked GTCL to divide key industrial clusters into separate zones, with each zone receiving full gas flow and adequate pressure for five continuous days a week, followed by two days of planned shutdown or limited supply.
The rationing roster should take into account continuous-process plants, boilers, export delivery schedules, labour laws and safety protocols, they said.
The trade bodies demanded that GTCL immediately reallocate excess gas from other distribution zones to the Titas region, ensure adequate line pressure for factory machinery to operate safely and efficiently, and rapidly implement a weekly, zone-based rationing schedule across major industrial belts to protect economic activity.