Roundtable on Bangladesh’s LPG Sector Facing Growing Safety and Regulatory Challenges

This roundtable discussion, organized by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), the LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB), and Energy & Power magazine, addresses the growing safety and regulatory challenges in Bangladesh’s LPG sector. The event features key stakeholders including BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed, Professor Dr. Mohammad Yasir Arafat Khan from BUET, and LOAB President Mohammad Amirul Haque. The discussion highlights the increasing use of LPG across domestic, commercial, and transport sectors, leading to a market size of 1.5-1.8 million tons. However, this growth has been accompanied by a rise in accidents, including recent explosions in Rangpur, Cox’s Bazar, and a fire at a power plant canteen. The main presentation by Professor Khan emphasizes the hazardous nature of LPG, its flammability and explosive potential, and the critical need for proper handling, early detection systems, and emergency shutdown mechanisms. The discussion identifies key issues such as unauthorized installations, lack of certified safety equipment, inadequate training for technicians, and poor enforcement of existing regulations. The speakers call for improved compliance, better investigation and sharing of accident reports, and a collaborative approach among stakeholders to enhance safety and ensure the sector’s sustainability.