Long lines at CNG stations in capital, drivers struggle without gas
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
The ongoing gas crisis in the country has affected CNG filling stations in the capital. With gas supplies falling short of demand, drivers are being forced to wait in line with their vehicles for hours at the stations. CNG and private car drivers have expressed frustration over the situation.
Long lines of vehicles were seen today, Wednesday, at the Canada Bangla CNG Filling Station in the Tejgaon area of the capital. People concerned said several CNG stations in the capital have been closed since this morning. Long lines of gas powered vehicles have formed at the few stations that remain open.
Meanwhile, due to low gas pressure at the stations, drivers are not getting the amount of gas they need even after waiting for long periods. CNG driver Md. Sagar said he had been waiting in line for three hours but still had not received any gas. Although he was supposed to take the vehicle out at 6:00 am, the lack of gas at the station meant he could not take the vehicle from the garage until 8:00 am.
Expressing his frustration, he said, “So far, I have earned only Tk 700 in fares, but I have to pay the owner Tk 1,000. After I called the owner and told him about the situation, he said it would be okay if I submitted the vehicle after the scheduled time. But if there is no gas, there is no point in driving the vehicle for extra hours either.”
Another driver, Rahim Sheikh, said he received only Tk 86 worth of gas after standing in line for three and a half hours. Another driver, Md. Jalal, said he received only Tk 2 worth of gas after waiting at a station in Mohakhali in the morning and Tk 17 worth of gas at a pump in Paribagh. Although he earned Tk 350 after making only two trips during the day, he is worried about how he will pay the owner Tk 1,200.
Drivers allege that gas is being sold through unfair means by taking advantage of the long lines. Some drivers are allegedly giving station employees tips of Tk 20 to Tk 50 and getting gas ahead of others without waiting in line. This is further increasing the waiting time for drivers already in line. However, many are afraid to protest because they fear they may not get gas. Employees of the filling station, however, denied the allegation of taking tips.
Asked about the main cause of the gas shortage, engineer Md. Nazrul, who was on duty at the counter of Canada Bangla CNG Filling Station, said gas processing has been disrupted due to a technical problem at the floating LNG terminal in Moheshkhali. As a result, a severe shortage has developed in the main supply line, making it impossible to supply gas according to demand. This is why many filling stations have had to remain closed, and their station could also be forced to shut down at any time if there is no gas.
