Severe gas crisis cripples Chattogram
A severe gas shortage has disrupted public transport and daily life across Chattogram, leaving CNG-powered autorickshaws and buses off the roads and forcing thousands of commuters to endure long waits and inflated fares.
Long queues of vehicles were seen on Monday at CNG filling stations in Oxygen, Bahaddarhat, Karnaphuli, Agrabad, Halishahar, Baklia, Moijjar Tek, Chandgaon and Patenga, while several filling stations remained closed. Many drivers waited for hours, some until late at night, but still failed to get enough gas to operate their vehicles.
The shortage has significantly reduced the number of CNG-powered autorickshaws and buses on the roads, causing widespread disruption to public transport.
As a result, passengers were seen waiting for long periods at major intersections and bus terminals across the city. Office-goers, students and patients have been among the worst affected, struggling to reach their destinations on time.
Taking advantage of the crisis, some drivers have allegedly been charging excessive fares. Passengers complained that contractual fares had doubled and, in some cases, even tripled due to the shortage of vehicles.
With few alternatives available, many said they had no option but to pay the higher fares.
A private car driver said he had queued throughout the night but managed to receive only Tk 200 worth of CNG in the morning.
“If we can’t get gas, how can we drive?” he said.
Transport operators said more than half of the city’s CNG-powered vehicles have been unable to operate because of the inadequate gas supply, resulting in financial losses for both drivers and vehicle owners. They warned that public suffering would worsen unless the supply is restored quickly.
The crisis has also disrupted household cooking. Residents in many parts of the city said gas pressure remains too low for most of the day, forcing many families to rely on restaurant food or cook late at night or early in the morning when gas pressure improves.
Gas supply to the national grid has remained disrupted since a fire broke out at a terminal operated by Accelerate Energy in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, on July 21. Although another LNG terminal continues to supply gas, it has been unable to meet overall demand.
According to sources at Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL), only 190 million cubic feet of gas was supplied on Sunday against a daily demand of 350 million cubic feet, leaving a substantial supply shortfall.
