All CNG filling stations in Brahmanbaria have been shut down due to a severe gas shortage, causing widespread suffering for passengers and transport workers. Gas supply to the stations was completely suspended from Thursday night, with no clear indication of when services will resume.
According to sources, Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited had been supplying gas to five filling stations in the district at a reduced rate since Wednesday. Before the crisis, the stations received around 50,000 cubic metres of gas daily, although demand was nearly double that amount.
For more than two weeks, gas pressure at the stations had remained unusually low. Against the normal pressure of 15 PSI, the stations were receiving only 2-3 PSI. Supply was reduced further on Wednesday before being completely suspended on Thursday night.
The shutdown has severely affected CNG-powered vehicles. Many CNG auto-rickshaw drivers have switched to LPG cylinders, resulting in higher fares. Passenger numbers have also fallen as fewer vehicles are operating on roads and highways.
Farid Mia, a passenger, said he waited for an hour at Kumarshil intersection for a CNG auto-rickshaw to travel to Bishwa Road. The driver initially demanded Tk 80, although the regular fare is Tk 40. After bargaining, they agreed on Tk 70.
Rafik Mia, a driver, said the regular fare from Kumarshil intersection to Sarail-Bishwa Road is Tk 50. He had been charging Tk 70 amid the gas shortage and now charges Tk 90 after switching to LPG.
Md Monayem Mia, manager of Khwaja Garib-e-Nawaz Filling Station in Sarail, said the station was forced to close due to the lack of gas. He said Bakhrabad Gas Distribution officials indicated that supply might resume on Sunday or Monday.
Md Shafiqul Haque, deputy general manager of Bakhrabad Gas Distribution's Brahmanbaria office, attributed the crisis to an LNG shortage. He said authorities could not confirm when the situation would improve, though they hoped the crisis would end soon.
