CNG drivers blocked the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway in Trishal, Mymensingh, on Wednesday, demanding a steady supply of gas and protesting against what they described as inadequate supplies at filling stations.
The drivers stopped their vehicles at the head of Kakchar Road at around 10.30am, bringing traffic on the eastern side of the highway to a halt. The blockade continued for roughly 30 minutes, until about 11am.
The disruption caused a temporary traffic backlog and left passengers facing considerable inconvenience. Vehicles travelling along the busy highway were unable to move normally while the drivers remained on the road.
According to the protesting drivers, the amount of gas being supplied to CNG-powered vehicles has fallen to a very low level. They said that even after waiting for hours at a filling station, they often receive only a limited quantity of gas.
One driver said that the gas supplied to a vehicle can run out after only one or two short trips. As a result, drivers are repeatedly forced to return to filling stations and spend long periods waiting for another supply.
For drivers who depend on CNG-powered vehicles for their daily income, such delays can have a direct impact on their working hours. Time spent waiting at filling stations means less time available for carrying passengers, while insufficient gas makes it difficult to maintain regular services.
The situation also affects passengers who rely on CNG-powered vehicles for travel. When drivers face prolonged delays in obtaining fuel, the availability of vehicles can be disrupted, particularly on routes where CNG vehicles form an important part of local transport.
The protest took place on a major road connecting Dhaka and Mymensingh, meaning even a short interruption had an immediate effect on traffic movement. During the blockade, vehicles on the eastern side of the highway remained stationary, causing passengers to wait until the road was cleared.
Police were informed of the situation and moved to restore traffic. Taleb, a sub-inspector at Trishal Police Station, said the interruption lasted only for a short period.
He said that he and Traffic Inspector Saiful Islam worked together to restore normal movement on the highway. Following their intervention, the drivers moved away from the road and traffic resumed.
Police later confirmed that the highway had been cleared and that vehicles were moving normally.
The drivers’ protest, however, highlights the difficulties faced by CNG operators when fuel supplies remain inadequate. Their immediate demand is for a consistent supply of gas so that they can refuel without having to spend hours waiting and can continue providing passenger services without repeated interruptions.
