Gas connection to residential houses has been off for a long time. Despite talking about gas connection several times, the then Sheikh Hasina government could not provide it. However, this time the interim government has taken the initiative to provide gas connection to residential houses. At the same time stove or burner enhancement may also be approved.
Such a proposal came to the Power and Energy Advisor through Petrobangla through Titus Gas Company. The matter is awaiting the decision of the Advisory Council.
This information is known from multiple sources of Titus Gas Transmission and Distribution Company. Officials-employees of the gas distribution company said that although the residential gas connection was closed by legal means, most of the customers took it by illegal means. Besides, almost every old customer has increased number of burners. Gas distribution companies are deprived of revenue.
It is known that recently coordination meeting was held at Titus Gas office in the presence of officials and employees of all categories. Several officials said that everyone is tired of illegal disconnection and raids in the residential sector day after day. Because almost every house in the residential sector is being used illegally. It is a difficult task for Titus to go and identify all the houses. But customers don’t want to use it illegally. Officials said illegal use is increasing due to the shutdown of legitimate connections.
Officials and employees said that 12 percent of the total gas is used in the residential sector. The rest is in industry and other sectors. But almost all the officials and employees have to be busy in the campaign to stop illegal use in the residential sector. On the other hand, although there are thousands of illegal connections in the industry, they are being ignored.
According to the field officials, if new connections or expansion of burners are approved in the residential sector, the revenue will increase by hundreds of crores of rupees within the existing usage.
A senior official of Petrobangla said that getting illegal gas connection has become very easy. Several syndicates have been formed to provide illegal gas connections in almost every neighbourhood. These syndicates have been supported by influential local circles. As a result, gas distribution companies are unable to stop illegal gas connections even if they want to.
Titus currently supplies residential gas to over 2.8 million customers in its distribution area. However, according to several officials concerned, although there are 2.8 lakh residential customers legally, the number of illegal ones is almost the same. On the one hand, Titus authorities are disconnecting illegal connections, on the other hand, they are taking illegal connections through syndicates.
Earlier in December 2021, the Energy Department decided in a meeting that no more gas connections will be provided to the residential sector. Refunds will be made to customers who have issued demand notes. Titus, the country’s largest gas distribution company, has formed a committee to refund demand notes to customers. The task of the committee was to identify the right customers and find a mechanism to refund them. However, even in 2024, the customer could not return the money.
Incidentally, after assuming power in 2009, the Awami League government stopped the residential gas connection. The connection was then resumed in late 2013. But after 2014, the energy department again banned distribution companies from accepting new applications from residents. Later in 2019, an order was issued to suspend the residential connection in writing.
Source : Daily Bangladesh
