A severe gas shortage has disrupted transport services and daily life across Chandpur, forcing drivers of CNG-run auto-rickshaws, buses and private vehicles to wait overnight in long queues at filling stations.
Gas supplies to several CNG filling stations in the district were halted from Friday morning, leaving drivers stranded for hours. Frustrated by the prolonged wait, CNG auto-rickshaw drivers staged a road blockade in Hajiganj.
Around noon, drivers blocked the Chandpur-Comilla highway in front of Hajiganj HB Filling Station for about 30 minutes, disrupting traffic. They withdrew the blockade after local authorities intervened.
Drivers said many had spent the night waiting for gas, cutting into their working hours and reducing their earnings. The shortage has also led to fewer vehicles on major roads, while passengers have complained of higher fares.
Hajiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Mannan said the situation returned to normal after police intervened and gas supply resumed at the filling station.
The crisis has also affected households, with many residents reporting little or no gas during the day. Some have been forced to cook late at night, buy prepared meals or switch to alternative fuels.
Gazi Nasir, a resident of Hajiganj municipality, said residents were often left without gas during the day and had to make alternative arrangements for cooking.
Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited attributed the shortage to reduced nationwide gas supplies.
Mir Fazle Rabbi, manager of the company's Chandpur regional office, said disruptions in supply from LNG terminals had lowered gas availability across the country, resulting in low pressure in Chandpur.
He said gas supply in the district would return to normal once the national supply situation improved.
Mir Fazle Rabbi, manager of the company's Chandpur regional office, said disruptions in supply from LNG terminals had lowered gas availability across the country, resulting in low pressure in Chandpur.