As winter settles over the capital, Dhaka residents are grappling with significant gas shortages, causing disruptions in household cooking routines. On Wednesday, 7 January, a leakage in a major pipeline beneath the Turag River severely curtailed gas supply to several parts of the city. Compounding the situation, the first week of January also saw interruptions in the supply of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders, alongside reports of rising prices. Opportunistic vendors have reportedly taken advantage of the scarcity to sell cylinders at inflated rates, leaving many households scrambling for alternatives.
Consequently, there has been a noticeable surge in demand for electric cooking appliances, including induction stoves, inverter stoves, infrared cookers, electric kettles, and other electrical kitchen devices.
A survey conducted on Friday evening (9 January) across various electronic showrooms in Laxmibazar, Old Dhaka, revealed that customer interest had multiplied several times over compared to usual levels. Many buyers returned empty-handed as stock ran out quickly. Popular items currently experiencing peak demand include infrared stoves, rice cookers, electric kettles, and room heaters.
The table below summarises the prices and demand status of some of the most sought-after products at key Laxmibazar showrooms:
| Showroom / Brand | Product | Price (BDT) | Demand Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| RFL ‘Best Buy’ | Vision Induction Stove | 3,750 | Demand rising, low stock |
| Infrared Stove | 4,100 | Limited stock | |
| Rice Cooker | 3,770+ | Over 100 units sold above normal monthly sales | |
| Electric Kettle | 2,390 | Increasing demand | |
| Room Heater | 3,600 | Out of stock | |
| Bengal Group ‘Happy Mart’ | Gazi Inverter Stove | 8,400 | Sales doubled |
| Induction Stove | 4,800 | Growing demand | |
| Rang Gas E-Mart | Havells Induction Stove | 5,800 | High demand |
| Miako Room Heater | 5,000+ | Out of stock | |
| Panasonic Rice Cooker | 6,500 | Demand present |
Local eateries are feeling the pinch as well. At a tea stall near Shankharibazar Mor, vendor Sabuj commented, “Gas is not readily available, and prices are high. We are now relying on electric stoves to continue our operations.”
Meanwhile, Rabeya Khanam, a resident and small-scale cook in the Lower Court area, said, “On television, gas is priced at 1,300 BDT, but when we try to buy it, the cost shoots to 2,700 BDT. Supply is limited, making cooking extremely challenging.”
Experts note that the combination of winter demand, pipeline leaks, and LPG shortages has significantly increased pressure on household cooking facilities. This has led to an unusual surge in the sales of electric cooking appliances. Authorities and retailers are urged to ensure adequate stock and affordable pricing to meet this unexpected spike in demand.