Dhaka – A severe shortage of natural gas has caused long queues at CNG filling stations across Dhaka, with many drivers waiting for hours without being able to refuel.
A visit to several areas of the capital—including Uttara, Abdullahpur, the airport area, Khilkhet, Badda, Rampura, Mirpur and Gabtoli—on Sunday found that the gas crisis has intensified in recent days.
Many filling stations were either without gas or operating with very low pressure. Despite this, long lines of CNG auto-rickshaws, private cars and microbuses were seen waiting in the hope of securing fuel.
Drivers said they were losing a significant portion of their working hours while waiting at filling stations. The crisis has reduced their daily income while increasing vehicle operating costs.
In Mirpur, long queues were reported at CNG stations in Gabtoli, Kallyanpur, Kalshi, Kazipara and Shewrapara.
A private-car driver waiting at Mohona Filling Station in Gabtoli said gas was sometimes available in small quantities late at night but was largely unavailable during the day. After waiting for around 90 minutes, he said, he obtained enough gas for only two trips before having to return to the queue.
The situation was similarly severe in Demra, where transport workers reported waiting more than four hours at some CNG stations. Reduced passenger services have also affected drivers’ earnings, while filling-station operators said lower gas sales were causing financial losses.
In the Mugdapara, Maniknagar, Sabujbagh, Khilgaon, Banasree and Hajipara areas, gas pressure was reportedly much lower than usual. Several filling stations displayed signs saying that gas was unavailable.
One driver said he had joined a queue at 9am and was still waiting by 2pm. Despite not being able to obtain gas, he said he was required to pay Tk1,200 a day to the vehicle owner.
Uttara was also badly affected, with gas supplies suspended at many CNG stations. Stations that remained open were operating under low pressure, resulting in lengthy queues.
A manager at Khondkar Filling Station said a large portion of the city’s transport system depends on gas and that low pressure was causing congestion at CNG stations.
Drivers warned that if the crisis continues, they could face growing financial hardship, with some already struggling to cover daily vehicle payments and household expenses.
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