CNG filling stations to remain shut for six hrs

The country's CNG (compressed natural gas) filling stations will remain shut for six hours during the peak electricity consumption period from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm during the holy month of Ramadan.
The government has decided to keep the CNG filling stations shut for one-fourth of the day from the day one of Ramadan till Eid-ul-Fitr, in order to facilitate sufficient natural gas flows to gas-guzzling power plants and ensure electricity generation.
Sources said the government took the decision to squeeze natural gas supplies to the CNG filling stations assuming the mounting demand of electricity across the country during the Ramadan.
The Power Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has projected that electricity demand during peak summer season will be around 15,500 megawatt (MW) and natural gas demand for power plants will be around 1,500 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd).
State-run Petrobangla has requested all concerned, especially the CNG filling stations, to abide by the government decision.
Vigilance teams of gas distribution companies will monitor to enforce the decision and the offender of the decision will have to face punitive measures under Bangladesh Gas Law, 2010.
General Secretary of Bangladesh CNG Filling Station & Conversion Workshop Owners Association Farhan Noor, however, expressed 'shock' over the decision to halt operations of the filling stations.
Businesses will hamper and public sufferings will mount as a consequence, he said.
Currently, some 500 CNG filling stations across the country are operational among the total 590 such stations.

Azizjst@yahoo.com