Bangladesh has requested India to increase diesel supplies through the existing cross-border pipeline as the government works to strengthen energy security amid recent disruptions in the country’s gas supply system, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud has said.
The minister also confirmed that gas supply from the damaged floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, known as a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), at Maheshkhali is expected to resume by Thursday afternoon. He expressed confidence that the country’s gas supply situation would return to normal within two to three days.
Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Thursday (6 August), Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said restoration of the previous level of gas supply would require some time after the temporary disruption. Responding to a question about when the situation would become fully normal, he said the process would take at least two to three days.
The minister assured that once the affected terminal resumes operations, the gas supply position would gradually return to the level that existed before the shutdown. The disruption at the LNG facility had created pressure on the country’s overall energy supply chain, affecting households, industries and power generation facilities.
Acknowledging the impact of the gas shortage on electricity production, the minister said several gas-fired power plants had faced operational difficulties due to reduced fuel availability. As a result, some areas experienced increased load shedding. He explained that when gas supply declines, ordinary consumers face difficulties while power plants dependent on gas are also forced to reduce production or temporarily suspend operations.
He said the affected power plants would be brought back into operation once gas availability improves. Addressing criticism over the recent electricity and gas situation, the minister described the disruption as an unexpected incident beyond the immediate control of consumers and service providers.
The minister also responded to complaints from some customers about unusually high electricity bills. He said that in many cases, those making complaints do not approach the relevant authorities with the actual billing details needed for verification. According to him, electricity prices were adjusted from June, while some consumers saw increased usage despite temperatures being lower in June compared with March.
Earlier, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met with the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister. Following the meeting, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh had requested India to provide additional diesel through the existing pipeline infrastructure.
The cross-border diesel pipeline between Bangladesh and India is considered an important component of bilateral energy cooperation. The system allows fuel to be transported more efficiently by reducing dependence on traditional transportation routes and helping improve supply reliability, particularly during periods of higher demand.
The government’s latest move to seek increased diesel imports comes as Bangladesh continues to focus on maintaining uninterrupted fuel availability for power generation, transport and industrial activities. Officials said efforts are being made to stabilise both gas and liquid fuel supplies so that temporary disruptions do not create wider pressure on the economy.
With the restoration of LNG supply and discussions over additional diesel imports, authorities are aiming to ease the immediate energy challenges and bring the country’s power and fuel situation back to a more stable position in the coming days.
