The CNG Filling Station Business Unity (Okkay) Forum has demanded the withdrawal of the government’s gas rationing policy for CNG filling stations, stating that it is discouraging the use of CNG in public transportation and harming the business viability of station owners.
“The government introduced CNG stations in 2002 when air pollution was at a peak. But the current gas rationing policy is deterring public transport operators—especially city buses—from using CNG,” said Farhan Nur, panel leader of the CNG Filling Station Business Unity (Okkay) Forum, at a press conference on Friday. The event was held ahead of the CNG filling station owners’ election scheduled for May 17, during which the panel’s manifesto was formally unveiled.
Citing data from the Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Ltd. (RPGCL), Nur said that around 1.2 million vehicles had converted to CNG due to its lower cost. However, he noted that the current policy discourages further adoption.
The Forum called for an official government directive to mandate the use of CNG in public transportation, arguing that such a move is essential to sustain the struggling industry.
According to Nur, around 500 operational CNG stations across the country are facing severe gas shortages, turning their operations into loss-making ventures.
The Rezabuddin Chowdhury–Farhan Nur Parishad, contesting in the upcoming election, presented a nine-point set of demands in their manifesto, including:
- Immediate withdrawal of gas rationing through dialogue with the Ministry;
- Raising the commission rate to at least Tk 5.10 to offset inflation and increased electricity costs;
- Resolving land disputes at filling station sites in coordination with regulatory authorities;
- Taking strict legal action against illegal businesses operating including those violating labor, environmental, and fire safety laws;
- Halting the arbitrary collection of security deposits during environmental clearance renewals;
- Approving gas supply through the “Mother-Daughter” system for stations lacking direct gas connections;
- Resolving pending issues related to bank guarantee deposits;
- Prioritizing the licensing of modern dispensing systems using advanced technology;
The Forum also pointed to long-standing irregularities in the sector, claiming that many filling station owners have been deprived of fair profits and subjected to harassment. Panel leaders Rezabuddin Chowdhury, Sayed Sadat Ahmed, Abdul Hakim Prodhan, and Md Humayan Ur-Rahid Suman were also present at the press conference.