Gas shortages at CNG refuelling stations have become severe in the capital. Drivers are visiting station after station without finding enough gas. With most pumps closed, long queues of cars and CNG autorickshaws stretch for kilometres at the few stations still open. Drivers wait for hours and receive only Tk20 to Tk100 worth of gas, leaving thousands who depend on CNGs and private cars worried about losing their livelihoods.
A visit to several areas on Wednesday (August 12) found drivers struggling and suffering while searching for gas.
Sales were suspended at Zaman CNG in Merul Badda and a CNG station in Middle Badda. Of the stations along the road from Kuril Bishwaroad to the airport, only Khilkhet was open. Several Tejgaon stations, including Akij CNG, had no supply. Stations in Malibagh, Karwan Bazar FDC Gate, Paribagh and Moghbazar were supplying gas; queues at Hajipara and Moghbazar stretched about 1 kilometre and caused heavy traffic, while Paribagh was less crowded.
Hours of waiting for Tk20 to Tk100 of gas
Drivers said low pressure at open stations prevented adequate supply. A 1,500cc private car could receive at most Tk100 and a CNG autorickshaw Tk50 to Tk60; some received only Tk20.
CNG driver Ibrahim said most stations were closed and he had travelled from Merul Badda to Hajipara, where the line was 1 kilometre long. Driver Anwar said he waited two and a half hours and received Tk60 at the FDC Gate station, asking how long a vehicle could run on that amount. Private-car driver Sohel Rana said he received Tk100 after waiting and questioned how long a 1,500cc car could run on it. Another driver, Yunus, said contract and daily-rent drivers could starve if the situation continued.
No pressure in the line, helpless station workers
Workers said severe pressure shortages in the main line prevented them from supplying gas as demanded. Tarek of Tejgaon’s Akij station said they could only supply when occasional pressure appeared, while Arman Islam of Zaman station said sales continued only when gas reached the line.
Drivers urged the government to improve the situation quickly, warning that prolonged shortages could end their incomes and create a severe social and economic crisis.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report