Govt plans to establish factories in Bhola to use local gas

The government is taking initiatives to establish gas-based industries in Bhola to utilise the district's natural gas locally, as bringing the gas to the mainland through pipelines could take around seven years, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told parliament today (9 September).

"If we want to bring the gas available in Bhola to the mainland through a pipeline, the plan will take at least around seven years," he said in reply to a supplementary question from reserved women's seat MP Sultana Ahmed.

Asked about a fast-track plan to connect Bhola's gas to the mainland pipeline network or ensure urgent supply through floating technology, the prime minister said the government plans to establish a fertiliser factory and another 500MW power plant in Bhola.

The government also plans to convert 60 million cubic feet per day of gas from the Veduria and Ilisha gas fields into LNG and transport it to the Khulna power hub through lighterage operations.

Tarique said the government wants to tap Bhola's economic potential by encouraging gas-based industries, noting that some entrepreneurs are already working to establish such facilities. Such investment would create jobs and boost the local economy, he said.

Under the Five-Year Strategic Framework, the government has also designated Bhola and its adjacent islands as the main hub of the "Central Zone" of the blue economy. Priorities include hilsa and fisheries conservation, integrated agricultural development in char areas, protected coastal infrastructure and navigation safety.

He said Bhola's strategic location, gas reserves, agricultural productivity and coastal fisheries potential have been incorporated into the regional development framework, with emphasis on long-term investment and sustainable use of its natural and economic resources.