United News of Bangladesh

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC has embarked on a massive project worth over Tk 8,000 crore to replace approximately 5,500 km of ageing gas pipelines with new infrastructure, aimed at modernising the gas distribution network across Dhaka and Narayanganj cities. According to official sources, the project titled ‘Replacement and Improvement of the Existing Gas Network in Dhaka and Narayanganj City Corporation Area, incorporating GIS Mapping and SCADA System’ is scheduled for implementation between 2025 and 2030. Officials said the initiative is designed to secure gas transmission and distribution for over 25 lakh consumers by preventing leakage, using a Geographic Information System (GIS) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system. Titas continues crackdown on illegal gas connections “The GIS will provide real-time data to enable immediate detection and repair of any leakage in the distribution and service pipelines,” said Shahnewaz Parvez, Managing Director of Titas Gas, in an interview with UNB. GIS technology would assist in monitoring the location and spread of gas leaks and the affected areas, he added. The project aims to enhance gas supply capacity from the current 275 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) to 1,008 MMCFD by installing 2,781.46 km of pipelines both upstream and downstream of gas stations. This upgrade is intended to serve both existing and future customers within the Titas Franchise Area (TFA) in Dhaka and Narayanganj City Corporation. Reducing carbon emissions by up to 0.50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (tCO₂-e) annually, and minimising gas leakage-related incidents—currently up to 66 per month—is also among the project’s stated objectives. But officials expressed scepticism regarding timely implementation, as the Development Project Proposal (DPP) has been awaiting clearance from the Planning Commission for more than eight months. Titas Gas faces major challenge in service delivery with 7% system loss According to the DPP, the total project cost of Tk 8,160.81 crore will be financed through a combination of government and Titas Gas funds (Tk 4,000 crore) and a loan from a donor agency (Tk 4,160 crore)—the New Development Bank (NDB), commonly known as the BRICS Bank. The NDB is a multilateral development bank established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS). Shahnewaz Parvez said Titas Gas has already completed a techno-economic feasibility study to overhaul the ageing, accident-prone pipelines in both Dhaka and Narayanganj. Official sources indicated that the need to replace the ageing pipelines became a matter of urgency following a series of recent explosions and fires attributed to faulty and leaking gas lines. One such incident occurred in Moghbazar last June, where a massive explosion killed at least six people and injured several others. Fire service officials suspected a leakage in a Titas gas line as the probable cause. A more devastating tragedy took place at a mosque in Fatullah in 2020, where a leak in a Titas pipeline led to explosions in six air conditioners, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people and injuring more than a dozen during Friday prayers. It remains one of the worst gas-related accidents in the country’s history. In addition to these incidents, issues with pipeline leakage gained further attention when Titas began installing pre-paid gas meters in parts of the city. During these installations, Titas teams reportedly found significant leakage on both the customer and utility ends of the pipelines. Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, which has a customer base of 2.874 million, is responsible for gas supply in the greater Dhaka and Mymensingh regions. As the largest and oldest gas distribution entity, established in 1964, Titas currently operates a 13,197 km underground pipeline network to distribute gas to consumers. Titas Gas to begin smart prepaid metre installations from 2026 Industry insiders noted that a large portion of this network is considerably aged, with some pipelines dating back 40 to 50 years. Many of these lines have lost their structural integrity and now suffer frequent leakages, making replacement critical.

Gas supply will remain suspended for seven hours in parts of Mirpur today (Tuesday) due to tie-in works of a newly connected gas pipeline. According to Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC, gas supply will be cut off from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Shatabdi CNG Station and MBM Garments near Prince Bazar, Mirpur-14. Gas supply to stop for 15 hours Friday in parts of the capital Meanwhile, consumers in several areas, including Dhaka Cantonment, Mohakhali DOHS, Shaheenbagh, Arjatpara, Nakhalpara, and surrounding localities, may experience low gas pressure. Titas Gas has apologised to its customers for the temporary inconvenience.

Several employees of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC and some policemen were injured in an attack during a drive to disconnect illegal gas lines in Sonargaon of Narayanganj on Wednesday. An organised gang attacked a Titas team while they were attempting to disconnect an illegal 2-inch diameter line adjacent to Mirertek Bazar. Mohammad Shahabuddin, Deputy General Manager of its Regional Marketing Department in Sonargaon, was seriously injured in the attack, according to Titas Gas. Titas Gas authorities disconnected a total of 16,827 illegal gas connections in the last four months since September, 2024, it said. Gas price hike for industries ‘necessary but unpleasant’: Adviser These removed illegal connections were used to supply gas to 40,916 burners of 16,596 residential users, 145 industries, and 86 commercial ventures, according to Titas Gas. The disconnection drive will save 11.113 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd), worth approximately Tk 51.65 per day. Besides, 86 km of pipeline was also removed during the drive against illegal connections in Moishtek, Mirertek, Sonargaon of Narayanganj. Fazle Wahid, Senior Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division led a mobile court to remove illegal gas connections in those areas. Gas supply likely to improve this evening in Dhaka city, elsewhere During the drive, approximately 1 km of illegal gas connections were disconnected in Moishtek area, affecting around 200 residential connections. Besides, about 100 feet of MS and 150 feet of PVC pipes were removed in the operation.

Gas supply will remain suspended for 12 hours from 6pm on Thursday in different areas in Dhaka EPZ and Nabinagar-Chandra area for emergency works in gas pipeline. According to Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC, the areas where gas supply will remain off from 6 pm on Thursday to 6 am Friday include Dhaka EZ-01 and PZ-02 adjacent areas and west side of Nabinagar-Chandra Road.  Gas supply to remain off in several areas of Dhaka Thursday The other surrounding areas may experience low pressure in gas supply during the period, said the Titas Gas regretting the temporary inconvenience to its customers.