The ongoing gas shortage across the country has yet to ease, leading to a severe shortage of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered auto-rickshaws and public transport in Dhaka and other areas.
Many vehicles have remained off the roads after waiting in line for hours without receiving sufficient gas, disrupting transport services and affecting commuters.
CNG pumps witness long queues
Visits to CNG filling stations in Dhaka and other parts of the country found long queues of vehicles at most pumps. Many drivers said they had to wait from late at night until the following morning or even afternoon to receive gas.
CNG-powered auto-rickshaw driver Akbar Hossain said: “After standing in line all night, I got only Tk200 worth of gas in the morning. If I cannot get gas, how will I drive the vehicle? And how will I pay the owner's daily deposit?”
Public transport shortage causes passenger suffering
The gas shortage has left a large number of CNG-powered buses and auto-rickshaws unable to operate, forcing passengers to wait for long periods at bus stops and major intersections in the capital since morning.
Office-goers, students and patients have faced difficulties reaching their destinations on time due to the shortage of public transport.
A commuter traveling from Banasree to Gulshan for work said: “On other days, I can easily get a CNG by standing on Banasree E-Block Avenue Road. But today, even after waiting for more than 1 hour, I did not find a single empty vehicle.”
Higher fares amid the crisis
Passengers alleged that many drivers have been charging higher fares by taking advantage of the transport shortage.
They said most CNG-powered auto-rickshaws were not operating on meters, while contract fares had doubled and, in some cases, tripled. With limited transport options available, many passengers said they had no choice but to pay the higher fares.
Transport sector faces financial losses
Transport owners said more than half of their vehicles have remained idle because of the irregular gas supply, resulting in financial losses for both owners and drivers.
They also said the disruption has increased pressure on the public transport system and warned that if gas supplies are not restored soon, long-distance and inter-district transport services, along with services in the capital, could face a deeper crisis.
Those affected called on the government to take urgent measures to normalize the gas supply and ease public suffering.