Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

As Bangladesh’s LPG market continues to expand rapidly across households, industries, transport, and commercial establishments, concerns over safety are becoming increasingly urgent. Industry experts, regulators, operators, and safety of?cials warn that while LPG remains a safe and ef?cient fuel when handled properly, weak compliance, poor awareness, inadequate training, and regulatory shortcomings are exposing users to avoidable risks.

at a recent roundtable, stakeholders emphasized that up to 80 percent of LPG-related accidents could be prevented through greater awareness, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, improved training, and stronger institutional oversight. They called for a comprehensive policy framework backed by effective implementation to ensure the sustainable and safe growth of Bangladesh’s LPG sector.

the roundtable, titled ‘Bangladesh’s LPG Sector Facing Growing Safety and Regulatory Challenges,’ was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), the LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB), and Energy and Power at the BERC auditorium. BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed attended as the chief guest, while LOAB President Mohammed Amirul Haque presided over the event.

a keynote paper was presented by Dr. Md Easir Arafat Khan, Professor of Chemical Engineering at BUET.

the session was moderated by Energy and Power Editor Mollah Amzad Hossain.

among others, BERC Member (Petroleum) Dr. Syeda Sultana Razia, Joint Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division AKM Fazlul Haque, REHAB Vice President A.K.M. Barkotullah, LOAB Vice President Humayun Rashid, LPG Autogas Stations and Conversion Workshop Association President Engr. Md. Serajul Mawla, Department of Explosives Assistant Inspector Muhammad Mehedi Islam Khan, Fire Service and Civil Defence Assistant Director Md.

iqbal Bahar Bulbul, and an energy professional Engr. Jakaria Jalal also spoke. ‘If we cannot change this culture, it will be dif?cult to improve the situation,’ he said. He noted that LPG use is growing rapidly in households, vehicles, and industries, but safety practices have not kept pace. Safety, he said, must remain the priority because indiscriminate use of LPG can create signi?cant risks.

ahmed emphasized the need for structured training programs, beginning with training trainers who can subsequently educate workers involved in LPG handling, transportation, and distribution. He also said the government is consulting stakeholders to formulate a user-friendly and effective LPG policy that minimizes the need for frequent amendments. Mohammed Amirul Haque LOAB President Mohammed Amirul Haque said Bangladesh does not face an LPG supply shortage; rather, the key challenge is developing a safer operating environment. ‘With cooperation from all stakeholders, we can ensure safe transportation and use of LPG,’ he said, stressing the need for strict compliance throughout the supply chain. He added that industry operators are working together to improve safety standards and called for a rational pricing framework to support sustainable sector growth.

easir Arafat Khan In his keynote presentation, Dr. Md.

easir Arafat Khan argued that LPG is inherently safe when hazards are managed properly through established safety protocols.

according to him, risks associated with storage, transportation, and handling can be effectively controlled through compliance, training, and disciplined operations. However, weak enforcement, poor safety culture, and inadequate oversight continue to create vulnerabilities. Dr.

arafat highlighted several major concerns, including widespread non-compliance among autogas stations, many of which reportedly operate without proper licenses and documentation. He also pointed to the absence of certi?ed gas detection systems, emergency shutdown systems, and adequate leak detection mechanisms at many facilities.

the lack of specialized training and licensing for technicians and transport operators further increases safety risks, he said.

illegal cylinder cross-?lling, unauthorized cylinder cutting and scrapping, and the operation of unlicensed LPG road tankers remain major concerns. Public awareness is also insuf?cient. Many consumers are unfamiliar with proper leak response procedures and safe equipment usage, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

to address these challenges, Dr. Arafat recommended stricter licensing requirements, stronger regulatory enforcement, mandatory safety audits, third-party inspections of high-risk facilities, and nationwide awareness campaigns. He also called for mandatory gas detection, ?re protection, alarm systems, preventive maintenance programs, and standardized equipment speci?cations.

a comprehensive national LPG policy aligned with international standards is also needed, he said. Syeda Sultana Razia BERC Member Dr. Syeda Sultana Razia agreed that awareness alone could reduce LPGrelated accidents signi?cantly. ‘Safety cannot be compromised,’ she said, noting that many accidents gounreported and that public education and training campaigns could prevent a large number of incidents. She acknowledged manpower shortages at the Department of Explosives and said authorities are considering involving third-party organizations to strengthen inspection and monitoring activities. Razia also stressed the importance of maintaining proper propane-butane mixtures in LPG cylinders, warning that deviations from prescribed standards could create serious safety hazards. While regulations and guidelines already exist, she noted that their effectiveness depends on proper implementation and compliance by all stakeholders. She also identi?ed high-rise buildings as particularly vulnerable and called for additional precautions in such facilities.

aKM Fazlul Haque Joint Secretary AKM Fazlul Haque said the rapid growth of the LPG sector has naturally increased safety concerns. ‘Safety is everyone’s responsibility,’ he said, emphasizing that poor-quality equipment and non-compliance signi?cantly increase risks. He acknowledged existing regulatory gaps and assured participants that the government is working to update regulations. Regular monitoring, stronger enforcement, and improvements in sector infrastructure will be necessary to address safety challenges, he added.

a K M Barkotullah REHAB Vice President A.K.M. Barkotullah said developers now incorporate ?re exits and ?re safety plans in high-rise buildings, but speci?c guidelines for LPG use in such structures remain inadequate. He called for dedicated safety standards for LPG installations in high-rise developments and stressed the need to improve maintenance and management systems.

engr. Md Serajul Mawla Meanwhile, Engr. Md. Serajul Mawla argued that existing LPG policies contain practical limitations that make compliance dif?cult. He said operators frequently struggle with substandard equipment and insuf?cient user training. While supporting stronger safety regulations, he urged policymakers to revise existing rules through greater consultation with industry stakeholders. ‘Rules should re?ect the realities on the ground,’ he said.

taking part in the discussion, LOAB president Amirul Haque said they want to ensure safety and security in the LPG sector with the cooperation of all concerned, and want to build a common platform to address all the problems. ‘The problem is there, but with getting all together we can prevent it, and will go ahead for the betterment of all.’ Humayun Rashid LOAB Vice President Humayun Rashid called for yearround training programs under BERC’s supervision to strengthen stakeholder awareness and improve operational safety. Mizanur Rahman BERC Member Mizanur Rahman stressed the importance of maintaining proper gas composition and pressure levels, saying that adherence to technical standards could signi?cantly reduce accident risks. Muhammmad Mehedi Islam Khan Department of Explosives Assistant Inspector Muhammad Mehedi Islam Khan highlighted severe manpower shortages within his department, which limit inspection and enforcement activities. Despite these constraints, he said efforts are underway to digitize services, speed up regulatory approvals, and seek technical support from BUET experts.

iqbal Bahar Bulbul Fire Service and Civil Defence Assistant Director Md.

iqbal Bahar Bulbul noted that most LPG accidents occur in households due to inadequate awareness. Many users lack even basic knowledge of safe handling practices, he said, stressing the importance of preventive measures such as ?re extinguishers, re blankets, and proper ignition procedures. ‘It is much easier to extinguish a small ?re before it becomes a major incident,’ he said. Bulbul pointed to the garment sector as an example of how compliance and safety awareness can signi?cantly reduce accidents. Mohiuddin Khaled Mohiuddin Khaled of G-Gas LPG said multiplication of cylinders will multiply the risk as well.

and he suggested a single cylinder to reduce the risk of accidents.

and also suggested policy regulation in this regard. Mehedi Hasan of Beximco LPG said the main focus should be on awareness of the people. Jakaria Jalal of Bashundhara Group said that while 2.5 lakh people are involved in India to lookafter the gas explosion safety issues, a few people are involved in Bangladesh. Abu Sayeed Raza Abu Sayeed Raza of Mehgna Fresh LPG suggested running the LPG road truck by the licensed persons, adding that an uncontrolled situation will be created if these are done by non-professionals. He also requested the authority to stop cross?lling of cylinders at the Autogas station, saying that otherwise the situation will go beyond control. Engr Liaqat Ali of Omera Gas also said cylinders should not be ?lled at Autogas stations.

engr Maidul said that cylinders should not be ?lled at an auto gas station, apprehending a high risk. Engineer Saidul Islam Engineer Saidul Islam, Partner, Siamgas Trading, said that compliances to be practiced by force. He also suggested some incentives, like tax vat bene?ts in this regard. 90 percent of installations have no reticulation permission, he said, suggesting controlling the reticulation system by force and introducing a safety audit system. Osman Celik Osman Celik, Chief Financial Of?cer of United Aygaz LPG, said the safety rules should be followed and maintained properly. He said concerned people should also be cautious while they are taking LPG from one place to another by transport. He said proper training and giving a license are also necessary for the operators. Conclusion The discussion concluded with a broad consensus that Bangladesh needs stronger enforcement, greater public awareness, improved training, and more practical regulations to ensure safe LPG use.

industry participants called for amendments to existing LPG policies, streamlined licensing procedures, and the establishment of a one-stop service center to improve regulatory ef?ciency. Most importantly, stakeholders agreed that safety must become a shared responsibility among regulators, operators, transporters, technicians, and consumers if Bangladesh is to sustain the rapid growth of its LPG sector while protecting lives and property

The government has begun work on achieving ?ve key milestones to secure Bangladesh’s energy future, with a strong push toward renewable energy and reducing dependence on imports, said Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir recently. Speaking at a dialogue titled ‘Renewable Energy in the Upcoming Budget: Expectations and Reality’ organized by think tank Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) at a city hotel, Titumir said the country’s energy sector had long been surrendered to oligarchs under import-dependent policies that left Bangladesh economically vulnerable.

the adviser outlined ?ve priority milestones guiding the government’s energy roadmap: First, the upcoming budget will allocate greater resources toward renewable energy which he described as the sector’s top priority.

Pakistan’s operational solar power capacity has reached an estimated 51 GW as of March 2026, according to a new report by Renewables First.

the report, titled Pakistan Electricity Review 2026, said the country’s rapid solar expansion is being driven mainly by households, farms, and businesses adopting distributed solar systems to reduce reliance on the national grid.

it noted that distributed solar systems – including net-metered, behindthe-meter, and off-grid installations – generated around 51 TWh of electricity during ?scal year 2025, accounting for nearly 46 percent of grid-supplied electricity. Meanwhile, electricity generation from utilityscale power plants declined for the fourth consecutive year, falling to 135 TWh in FY25 from a peak of 154 TWh in FY22.

according to the report, rising electricity prices and lower solar panel costs are accelerating Pakistan’s transition toward decentralized solar energy.

Bangladesh – India Friendship Power Company (BIFPCL) has urgently sought Tk1,000 crore from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) to maintain uninterrupted operations at the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant, also known as the Rampal power plant, one of the country’s largest power generation facilities.

in a letter sent to the BPDB chairman on 10 May, the company’s Managing Director Ramanath Pujari said delays in fund release could cause the company to default on loan repayments. He also warned of possible disruptions in coal imports and exposure to demurrage charges.

as banking operations will end on 24 May due to Eid-ulAdha holidays, he requested that the funds be released by 20 May. Attempts to contact the BPDB chairman and power secretary for comments on whether the requested funds would be released were unsuccessful.

Infrastructure Development Company Limited (Idcol) hosted a roundtable at its head of?ce in Dhaka on May 14.

the event brought together the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Norfund (Norway’s development ?nance institution), and a select group of sponsors of bankable renewable energy projects to explore strategic partnership opportunities in support of Bangladesh’s renewable energy transition.

the roundtable was attended by Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Bangladesh, who served as chief guest. He was joined by Bayzid Muntasir Sayeed, economic affairs and trade adviser at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, and Razi Amin, partner at Aspen Capital Solutions LLC, who serves as an advisor to Norfund and the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The session was chaired by Alamgir Morshed, managing director of Idcol, and moderated by Nazmul Haque, chief investment of?cer of Idcol.

in his welcome address, Haque underscored that Bangladesh’s renewable energy transition will require long-tenor, patient capital aligned with the mandates of development ?nance institutions such as Norfund. Following his remarks, Md Enamul Karim Pavel, head of renewable energy at Idcol, presented a comprehensive overview of Bangladesh’s renewable energy landscape and outlook

Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited (BGFCL) has started drilling operations at the Kamta-2 a ppraisal development well in Gazipur’s Kaliganj , aiming to boost domestic gas production.

if drilling and testing are completed successfully, the well is expected to add up to 10 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) to the national grid, according to a BGFCL press release. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit inaugurated the spud-in operation of the well recently under a project titled ‘Drilling of Four Appraisalcum-Development Wells at Titas and Kamta Fields.’ Under the project, three wells will be drilled at the Titas Gas Field and one at the Kamta Gas Field.

the release said the government aims to supply around 55 mmcfd of gas to the national grid in the ?rst year by June 2027 after the project’s completion

Pr of. Halil Hasar, Director of Climate Change, participated in the 5th Istanbul International Water Forum, held under the theme ‘Strengthening Water Resilience: Innovation to Action.’ Hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the forum is regarded as one of Trkiye’s leading international platforms on sustainable water governance. The event brought together ministerial delegations, policymakers, and representatives from major international organizations, including the United Nations, OECD, OIC, and the World Bank.

addressing the opening session, Director Hasar emphasized that water has become the most visible and immediate manifestation of the global climate crisis. He noted that COP31, which Trkiye will host this November, represents a historic opportunity to accelerate implementation-oriented climate action. Highlighting the intensifying impacts of climate change, Hasar stated that 2024 has of?cially become the hottest year on record, while disruptions in the hydrological cycle are increasing the frequency and severity of droughts and extreme weather events. Referring to UN ?ndings, he underlinedthat nearly 40 percent of the global population currently lives in waterstressed regions, placing more than 700 million people at severe risk of water scarcity. ‘Water should no longer be viewed solely as a natural resource,’ Hasar said. ‘It must be recognized as a strategic priority for global resilience, security, and sustainable development.