CNG stations in Chattogram see long queues amid gas shortage
Low pressure leaves drivers waiting hours for gas.
Highlights:
- Low pressure limits gas supplied to vehicles
- Drivers report waiting several hours for gas
- Some stations remain without gas all day
- Supply disruptions have continued for three weeks
Long queues have formed at most CNG filling stations in Chattogram amid low gas pressure and supply shortages, with some drivers waiting for hours without getting gas and others receiving limited supplies.
The disruption has caused severe inconvenience for drivers and passengers of CNG-run vehicles.
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During a visit to several stations in the city today (2 August), long queues were seen at SH Khan and Sons CNG Refuelling Station in the Wasa intersection area.
Car driver Md Mizan, who was waiting in the queue, told The Business Standard, "I have been waiting in line for nearly four hours. This station started supplying gas at around 4pm. Previously, we could fill up to 27 litres, but due to the low pressure, we can now get no more than 20–21 litres. This is causing problems for our journeys."
Another CNG driver, Md Masud, said he had first joined a queue at a station near the BGMEA office at 7am. However, his vehicle ran out of gas before he could refuel, forcing him to move to SH Khan & Sons station with the help of fellow driver Abul Kalam.
"We have been waiting here since 10am and gas supply resumed only around 4pm," Abul Kalam said.
Muhammad Rashed, manager of the station, told TBS, "We are supplying gas through two of our four nozzles. Supply was suspended from the morning due to the gas shortage."
Meanwhile, a long queue was also seen at Rainbow CNG Station Limited in the city's Tigerpass area, although gas supply there remained suspended.
Nurul Islam, a driver for a private organisation who was waiting in the queue, said, "I have been waiting since 10am. There is no gas, and I cannot even move the vehicle. Almost all the stations around here are in the same condition. Even where gas is available, the long queues make it difficult to get it."
The station manager was not available when TBS visited the site.
However, an employee on duty said the station had received no gas since the previous night, leaving supply suspended throughout the day.
"Gas supply is suspended for three to four hours every day. This has been happening for the past three weeks, causing regular suffering for customers," the employee said.
