Gas crisis at CNG stations leaves Uber drivers in distress
Photo: Agamir Somoy
A severe gas crisis has hit CNG stations in Savar, causing immense suffering for the general public as well as drivers of rental private cars, micro buses, and CNG-run vehicles.
Visiting various CNG stations in Savar municipality area on Saturday afternoon, long queues of vehicles waiting for gas were seen.
During conversations with drivers and station managers, it was learned that a gas shortage has been affecting the entire country for the past few days. Its impact has also reached the industrial area of Savar. Drivers are demanding that they have to wait in line at CNG pumps for hours on end for gas. Even when they do get gas, they are only able to fill up to a maximum of Tk 100-200 worth. As a result, after driving just a few kilometres, drivers have to line up again at CNG stations. This is causing financial losses for rental vehicle drivers.
However, CNG pump authorities claim that due to low gas supply at the stations, they are unable to provide gas to customers as per demand.
Aminul Islam came from Nabingar to the Energy Plus CNG pump in Savar to fill gas in his private car. He said that gas pressure is low in Nabingar, so he came to Savar for gas. But he had to wait about three hours to get gas. However, he expressed frustration at only receiving Tk 250 worth of gas.
Shaheb Ali, an Uber driver who came to the pump for gas, said the pump's pressure gauge shows 150 psi, but the actual pressure is less than 100. He waited two to three hours and got only Tk 200 worth of gas. But this gas is not enough to operate his rental vehicle, as he would have to drive just a few kilometres and then stand in line for hours again. He said this is how their days are passing.
Another Uber driver, Sumon Hawlader, said he cannot operate his vehicle due to the gas crisis. Previously, he could barely manage his family with his daily earnings. But now, due to the gas shortage, he cannot take passengers.
Sabuj, a CNG driver who came to get gas at the Savar CNG Re-fuelling Station, said that due to low gas pressure at the CNG pump, only Tk 70-80 worth of gas is being dispensed. But with this gas, it is not possible to travel on the roads with passengers. So he has to buy expensive fuel oil to run his CNG vehicle. However, he expressed regret that passengers are unwilling to pay higher fares.
Ataur Rahman Biplob, manager of Energy Plaza CNG pump, said the gas pressure has increased a little now. However, with other pumps closed, the pressure of vehicles at this pump is higher, causing problems in dispensing gas.
Shimul Biswas, a nozzle operator at the Savar CNG Re-fuelling Station, said there is no gas in the pipeline. The amount of gas that should be available is not there. Normally, the pressure is 3-4 IPS, but now it is zero. So even though vehicles crowd the pump, they are unable to dispense gas.
