After nearly a month of severe gas shortages, CNG-powered vehicle drivers in Dhaka saw some relief on Friday, with improved gas pressure at filling stations.
While CNG autorickshaw drivers had recently been able to get only Tk 40–60 worth of gas, they managed to fill up to Tk 150 on Friday. Private car owners also got Tk 300–350 worth of gas. However, long queues at CNG stations remained.
Drivers and CNG station workers said a CNG autorickshaw can normally take up to Tk 600 worth of gas, depending on its cylinder size. Private cars with 60-litre cylinders can take around Tk 600 worth, while those with 90-litre cylinders can take up to Tk 1,000.
According to sources, Dhaka has been facing a severe gas shortage for nearly a month. Many filling stations stopped selling CNG due to insufficient gas pressure, while those still operating could provide only Tk 40–60 worth of gas per vehicle. Drivers often had to wait in line for hours even for that amount.
However, gas pressure improved somewhat on Friday. Although long queues remained, CNG drivers were able to get more than Tk 100 worth of gas, while private cars received around Tk 350 worth.
CNG autorickshaw driver Sushil Kumar said he waited for about an hour at a filling station in Hazipara, Rampura, in the morning and got Tk 120 worth of gas. Later, after joining another queue around 12:30pm, he waited until 2pm to get Tk 140 worth.
“Even with more than Tk 100 worth of gas, I can make two or three trips, or up to four if they are short. But with less than Tk 100 worth, I have to return for gas after just two trips,” he said.
“Getting this much today is better than nothing. But our situation has become so difficult that it is hard to support our families,” he added.
Another CNG driver, Musa, said he waited for about one and a half hours in Demra early in the morning before getting gas. He then drove to Uttara, followed by trips to Banani and Dhanmondi, before going to Moghbazar shortly after noon for another refill, where he got Tk 150 worth of gas.
“I earned Tk 1,200 from three trips, but spent around Tk 400 on expenses. If I can earn another Tk 1,000–1,200 by the evening and night, that should be enough,” he said.
“Today’s gas supply was manageable, but we don't know what will happen tomorrow,” Musa added.
Private car driver Yunus said gas pressure was noticeably better on Friday.
“Earlier, I could not get more than Tk 120 worth. Today, I got Tk 350 worth, which is still good,” he said.
He said his car could normally take Tk 600 worth of gas, but he was able to get Tk 350 on Friday.
“Even this is not bad. If the situation remains like this, we can at least make some trips. But with only Tk 120 worth of gas, I cannot travel to Narayanganj and return. That is why we are afraid to take our cars outside the city,” he said.
Meanwhile, better gas pressure was reported at several stations in Badda, Uttara, Khilkhet and Mirpur.
Jamil, an employee at Zaman CNG station in Badda, said, “The pressure seems somewhat better today, Friday. But we cannot say what it will be like tomorrow.”
Ibrahim, an employee at a CNG station in Hazipara, said, “Gas pressure has increased somewhat today. We are able to supply gas. There are still queues, but drivers are getting gas because the pressure has improved.”