Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud has said the country’s gas supply is expected to return to normal within the next two to three days as the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) resumes operations after mechanical repairs.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday, the minister said the repair work on the FSRU would be completed by the afternoon and gas transmission would restart later in the day.

“Once transmission resumes, pressure in the gas distribution network will gradually improve, and we will be able to overcome the current situation,” he said.

Asked how long it would take for the gas supply to normalize, the minister replied, “It will take at least two to three days. The situation will return to what it was before the FSRU was shut down.”

Responding to a question about widespread power outages caused by the gas shortage, he said power plants had also been affected due to the reduced gas supply.

“Naturally, when there is no gas, consumers do not receive it, and neither do our power plants. The plants that have been shut down will be brought back into operation once gas supply resumes,” he added.

When asked about public criticism over electricity and gas services despite praise for other government initiatives, the minister said the disruption was caused by circumstances beyond human control.

Addressing allegations of inflated or “ghost” electricity bills, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said people often make complaints but fail to provide their electricity bills for verification.

He noted that electricity tariffs had been increased in June and that temperatures in June were lower than those in March. Referring to a social media post claiming an electricity bill had doubled from Tk 3,500 to Tk 7,000, the minister said an inspection found the household regularly used two air conditioners, a refrigerator, a blender, and other electrical appliances.

“After using all those appliances, I do not think Tk 7,000 is an unusually high electricity bill. I don’t think you can run so many electrical appliances anywhere in the world for that amount,” he said.

Replying to a question about his recent meeting with the Indian High Commissioner, the minister described it as a routine meeting where bilateral issues of mutual interest were discussed.

He also said Bangladesh had requested India to increase diesel supplies through the existing cross-border pipeline.

Asked whether the meeting included any discussion regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent press conference, the minister declined to comment in detail, saying, “I do not want to say anything about Sheikh Hasina. She has done many things. She left the country in ruins.”