A severe gas shortage has forced factories in several Bangladeshi industrial areas to suspend production, declare worker leave or operate at reduced capacity. Talha Tex Pro Limited in Panchdona Union, Narsingdi, extended a shutdown until Tuesday after insufficient gas pressure prevented its planned reopening on Saturday. On Thursday, 20 factories in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka industrial zone also declared leave for workers because production was badly disrupted.

The shortage intensified after a fire at Accelerate Energy’s LNG terminal on July 21, which cut a major share of national gas supply, according to the report. Entrepreneurs said more than 100 factories had temporarily closed during the past month, while a similar number sent workers on leave. Areas affected include Ashulia, Savar, Gazipur, Kaliakair, Mymensingh, Narsingdi, Narayanganj and Habiganj.

BKMEA has sought permission to pay gas and electricity bills in 12 equal instalments, citing higher costs for diesel, LPG and other alternative fuels. Talha Tex said it halted production at least 15 times in a month, disrupting 60 percent of output. BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem said factories need three to four PSI gas pressure, while some sites received zero or one PSI.