Sylhet is set to provide prepaid gas meters to an additional 50,000 consumers, increasing the total number of households under the system to 100,000.
Ultimately, around 220,000 customers of Jalalabad Gas Transmission and Distribution System Limited (JGTDSL) are expected to be included in the prepaid metering programme in phases.
The announcement came during a public hearing held on Wednesday at JGTDSL’s Mendibagh office, chaired by Managing Director Md Atiqur Rahman.
The session, aimed at improving service quality, ensuring transparency, and strengthening accountability, also hosted representatives from Petrobangla, including Engineer Bishwajit Saha (General Manager, Planning, Strategy and Resource Mobilisation) and Deputy General Manager (Vigilance) M Nasimul Alim.
It was noted that a typical residential consumer currently uses an average of 66 cubic metres of gas per month. With prepaid meters, consumption per customer will be capped at 35 cubic metres, automatically saving 31 cubic metres and reducing monthly bills.
Speaking at the hearing, Atiqur Rahman highlighted the importance of public hearings in gathering citizens’ feedback, increasing accountability, curbing corruption, and building trust between the government and the public.
He stressed the need for responsible gas usage, noting that wastage or theft harms both the government and citizens. He urged consumers to report leaks or irregularities promptly to ensure safety and fairness.
Rahman emphasised that the goal is to make Jalalabad Gas a customer-friendly organisation where complaints are addressed efficiently and every consumer feels valued.
The hearing, moderated by Assistant Engineer Fahim Ahmed, was attended by JGTDSL engineers, managers, the company secretary, local press club leaders, and Amiruzzaman Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association, among others.
