A severe gas crisis has gripped Dhaka, leaving vehicles lined up for hours at CNG filling stations as drivers struggle to secure enough fuel to continue operating.
The prolonged waits are costing drivers valuable working hours, cutting their earnings and increasing operating expenses. Many drivers said they are still required to pay fixed daily deposits to vehicle owners despite the sharp drop in income.
With gas supplies declining, some filling stations across the capital have suspended sales, while low pressure at others has resulted in lengthy queues and extended waiting times.
Such scenes were witnessed on Saturday in Uttara, Abdullahpur, Airport, Khilkhet, Badda, Rampura, Mirpur, Gabtoli, Demra and surrounding areas, disrupting passenger transport across the capital.
Badda: Gas supply was unavailable at Jaman Filling Station in Merul Badda during the day. Although gas was available at stations in nearby Hajipara, long queues of CNG-run vehicles and private cars were seen, causing traffic congestion in surrounding areas.
Mirpur: Long queues of private cars, microbuses and auto-rickshaws were seen at CNG filling stations in Gabtoli, Kalyanpur, Kalshi, Kazipara and Sheorapara, where low gas pressure forced drivers to wait for hours.
Khalil, a private car driver waiting at Mohona Filling Station in Gabtoli, said the crisis had worsened.
“Gas is available in small quantities late at night, but not during the day. After waiting for about an hour and a half, I got enough gas for only two trips. Now I am back in the queue. No one seems to care about our suffering,” he said.
Demra: Long queues were also seen at filling stations in Demra, where drivers said they had to wait more than four hours for gas. The prolonged delays have prevented many from transporting passengers, reducing their daily earnings.
Filling station owners also said they were incurring losses due to declining gas sales.
Md Bashir Hawlader, a rental car driver waiting at Russell Filling and CNG Station, said inadequate gas supply had made it difficult to operate long-distance services.
“We cannot take long-distance passengers because we have to wait in line for three to five hours for gas. If this continues, our families will face severe hardship,” he said.
Sabujbagh: Gas pressure remained low in Mugda, Maniknagar, Sabujbagh, Khilgaon, Banasree and Hajipara, while many filling stations displayed signs reading “No Gas.”
Kabir Hossain, a driver waiting at Shanto Filling Station, said he had joined the queue at 9am but had yet to receive gas by 2pm.
“The crisis is worsening by the day. Even when we cannot earn due to the gas shortage, we still have to pay Tk1,200 daily to the vehicle owner,” he said.
Uttara: The gas crisis was also acute in Uttara, where most CNG filling stations had suspended supply. Long queues formed at the few stations that remained operational as low pressure slowed refueling.
Kamal Ahmed, manager of Khandaker Filling Station, said a significant portion of the transport sector depended on gas.
“Low gas pressure is causing long queues. There is little we can do to resolve the problem,” he said.
CNG driver Jasim said he had been waiting in line since the previous night without receiving gas.
“How will I support my family if this continues? How will I pay my children’s school fees? The mental pressure is becoming unbearable,” he said.
