CNG filling stations to remain close 6 hours a day

CNG refuelling stations across the country will remain closed every day for six hours from 5 pm to 11 pm, to allocate adequate energy supply to the gas-fired power plants and ease pressure on the national grid.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resource took the decision on Monday, said a circular signed by Assistant Secretary Saima Akhter.

Mir Mohammad Aslam Uddin, deputy chief information officer of the ministry, said the new order will be effective from 15 September.

The ministry has taken such a decision following the shortage of gas supply to the power sector. 

Petrobangla will host a meeting at its office with the stakeholders on Tuesday to discuss the way to implement the decision. 

A source at the power division told The Business Standard said the power sector needs a total of 2,252 million cubic feet (mmcf) gas per day, while the supply is only 1,086mmcf. Because of this shortage, many gas-fired power plants remain shut. 

Meanwhile, Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association expressed their concern over the ministry's decision. 

Farhan Noor, general secretary of the association, said the decision will have a severe impact on the sector that is struggling to turn around from the pandemic-caused damages. 

"The authorities should have discussed the issue with us before making such a decision," he said.    

There are around 500 CNG filling stations across the country that take around 5% of the total gas to sell to different vehicles.