Bangladesh is currently grappling with a severe shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), affecting households and transport alike. For more than two weeks, the market has faced a shortfall in LPG supply, with prices nearly doubling, and cylinders becoming increasingly scarce. Concurrently, two pipeline incidents in Dhaka over the past week have disrupted natural gas supply, leaving residents struggling to fuel their stoves and households in distress.
The Bangladesh LPG Auto Gas Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association held a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity auditorium on Saturday to address the ongoing crisis. According to the association, the country’s monthly LPG demand averages 140,000 tonnes, of which approximately 15,000 tonnes are required for the transport sector. Supply has been significantly below demand since last month, forcing many gas stations to temporarily halt operations.
The majority of LPG consumption—around 80 per cent—is for domestic cooking, with 12-kilogram cylinders being the most commonly sold. While the government-regulated price of such a cylinder is 1,306 Taka, market prices have surged to 2,500 Taka, and even at this elevated price, consumers often cannot obtain cylinders.
LPG Supply and Pricing Snapshot
| Cylinder Type | Regulated Price (BDT) | Current Market Price (BDT) | Primary Use | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 kg | 1,306 | 2,500 | Cooking | Very limited |
| Transport LPG | – | – | Vehicles | Only 10% supplied |
The written statement presented at the press conference, titled “Negative Impact of LPG Shortage on the Transport Sector”, highlighted the crisis’s severe consequences. Almost all LPG auto gas stations have ceased operations, directly affecting more than 150,000 LPG-run vehicles. Drivers and vehicle owners are enduring extreme hardships, often travelling from station to station without securing fuel.
Residents in areas such as Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Shyamoli, New Market, Hazaribagh, and Gabtoli have experienced low gas pressure in pipelines. Mohammadpur resident Kamrunnessa Ruhi explained that, due to frequent pipeline issues, she had to rely on hotel-supplied LPG for cooking and eventually purchased an electric stove as a last resort.
The shortage escalated following a pipeline leak in Aminbazar on 4 January, compounded by a burst valve near Mirpur Road, causing further disruption. Titash Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC reported that, after replacing the damaged valve, gas pressure has gradually improved.
The association urges the government to ensure timely and sufficient import of LPG to restore supply, prevent further economic loss, and protect consumers’ daily lives. Business owners warn that prolonged station closures are pushing them toward financial insolvency, making it nearly impossible to cover employee salaries, loan repayments, and operational expenses.
Officials indicate that while imports have been increased in response to business requests, it may take another two weeks for supply to stabilise fully.