The gas crisis in the industrial sector has deepened, forcing many factories to scale back operations, with some shutting down intermittently.
Textile sector leaders allege that the government has failed to act on earlier assurances to stabilize supply.
They warn that if the situation persists, up to half of textile factories could close within months. Export earnings have already declined for six consecutive months this year.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau, export earnings in the July-January period of fiscal year 2025-26 fell by 1.93 per cent to $28.41 billion, down from $28.97 billion in the same period of FY2024-25.
In Narayanganj, Dhamrai, Manikganj, Savar and Gazipur-key hubs for export-oriented industries-gas pressure has at times dropped to near zero, severely disrupting production.
Around 400 gas-dependent factories, mainly in the textile, ceramic and steel sectors, are operating well below capacity.
Entrepreneurs say they continue to pay bills based on approved gas loads of 7 to 15 pounds per square inch (PSI), but actual pressure often falls far below those levels.
