13 more CNG stations as queues get longer

Thirteen new CNG stations will open in the city this year, gas companies said yesterday, as drivers' complaints about refuelling delays hit a new level.

Passengers are also complaining because they claim many of the 3,000 CNG-run autorickshaw drivers are pushing up fares to compensate for time lost queuing for gas.

At 12:30pm yesterday, 125 CNG autorickshaws, 12 taxicabs and 10 private cars were waiting at a filling station near the Dhaka Gate at Banani. Another 65 autorickshaws were waiting at Elen Bury station near the Bijoy Sharani, disrupting traffic movement on the main road.

"I go to the filling station at 6:00am and it takes about two to three hours to get gas," said driver Dulal Hossain.

Many drivers have switched to gas because of recent octane and petrol price hikes, putting pressure on the city's 11 gas stations.

Petrol and octane now sell at Tk 33 and Tk 35 a litre respectively, while one cubic foot of gas giving the same mileage - sells at Tk 7.

Some drivers allege that to avoid refuelling delays they sometimes switch to octane, increasing pollution and forcing up fares.

An executive of the private sector CNG Distribution Company Ltd. said the firm's five filling stations cannot handle demand high to handle for his company and will set up three stations at Nilkhet, Kazipara and Joar Shahara by August. Two more will be set up at Rokeya Sharani and Badda by December.

The state-owned Rupantarita Prakritic Gas Company Limited (RPGCL) plans to establish six gas stations by June.

Asian Business Network will set up two stations at Darussalam at Gabtoli and Mohakhali.