Severe LPG crisis in Rangamati; auto-rickshaw drivers facing hardship
Rangamati Correspondent
A severe shortage of LPG gas has hit Rangamati. Long queues of CNG auto-rickshaws have formed at filling stations, yet drivers are unable to purchase more than 300 Taka worth of gas.
Transport drivers are facing immense hardship, spending hours in line only to receive insufficient fuel. Consequently, vehicular movement on the roads is being curtailed, disrupting normal life in the town.
On Saturday (October 3), gas was being supplied at only one of the four LPG filling stations in Rangamati town. Officials reported that the queue of auto-rickshaws waiting for gas stretched over a kilometer. Drivers complain that the town has been grappling with an acute LPG shortage for the past few days, forcing them to wait in long lines. This results in both a loss of working hours and a decline in earnings.
CNG auto-rickshaw drivers stated that they lose half the day just waiting for gas; while their income drops, the pressure from passengers mounts. There are fears that if this situation persists, CNG operations could come to a virtual standstill. They are calling for effective government intervention to swiftly resolve this fuel crisis.
Md. Mohsin, Manager of M/S Hill View Filling Station, said, "We received only 2,000 liters of LPG. Due to the limited supply, we are restricting sales to 300 Taka worth of gas per vehicle. We are compelled to limit the quantity because we lack sufficient stock."
Those involved in the transport sector fear the crisis could worsen if gas supplies do not normalize. They have urged authorities to quickly increase LPG supplies and restore normalcy to the situation.
