Power Rationing: CNG stations to stay shut 6-10pm from September 19

The government has decided to keep CNG filling stations closed from 6:00pm to 10:00pm -- the peak hours of electricity supply -- every day for power rationing.

The decision will be applicable from September 19, Mir Mohammad Aslam Uddin, public relations officer of the power, energy and mineral resources ministry told The Daily Star last night.

"The decision was taken to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to power plants," he said.

It could not be known exactly how long the rationing would continue. However, an official said it could be for three months or until further notice.

Earlier, the ministry had decided to apply decision from September 15 but then called for a meeting with the authorities concerned on Tuesday and changed the date.

Petrobangla then organised a meeting with Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners' Association, and others in this regard.

Farhan Noor, secretary general of Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association, told The Daily Star they urged reducing the closing time from six hours to three hours.

"We have the lowest amount of gas with the highest price. It would not be a wise decision to keep filling stations closed. But they requested us and we agreed to keep them closed for four hours."

The decision came after a virtual meeting about producing low, middle and long-term plans on the demand and supply in gas-based power plants on July 19.