CNG Stations to Remain Open on 30 July After Strike Withdrawn

A nationwide closure planned for CNG filling stations on 30 July has been withdrawn, with all stations expected to remain open that day, according to the Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association.

The association announced the decision at a press conference held on Monday at Akram Tower in the capital’s Bijoynagar. Association leaders said the planned shutdown had been called off in view of the ongoing gas shortage across the country.

The owners’ organisation had earlier announced that all CNG filling stations would remain closed nationwide on 30 July to press home a four-point set of demands, including an increase in the commission earned from the sale of compressed natural gas.

Although the closure planned for 30 July has been withdrawn, the association has set a deadline of 22 August for the authorities to address its demands. The leaders warned that if their demands are not met within that period, the decision to shut CNG filling stations indefinitely across the country from 23 August will remain in force.

The dispute centres largely on the financial pressures faced by CNG station operators, who argue that their existing commission structure is no longer sufficient to cover rising operating costs and other expenses. The association has therefore called for the commission on each cubic metre of CNG sold to be increased from the current Tk 8 to at least Tk 13.96.

The owners have also demanded the introduction of an automatic mechanism under which their commission would be adjusted whenever fuel prices are increased in the future. They argue that such a system would help prevent repeated disputes over commission rates and allow station operators to better manage changes in operating costs.

Another demand concerns security deposits collected from existing customers following increases in gas prices. The association wants the practice of seeking additional deposits from existing customers because of higher gas prices to be discontinued.

The fourth demand relates to fees charged by government agencies. The association has called for the costs associated with leasing land from the Roads and Highways Department, as well as various licensing and renewal fees imposed by government bodies, to be brought down to what it considers a reasonable level.

The withdrawal of the 30 July closure means motorists and CNG-dependent transport operators will not face a nationwide disruption on that date. However, the possibility of an indefinite shutdown from 23 August remains, unless the authorities take steps to resolve the issues raised by the station owners.

The development comes at a time when the country’s CNG sector is already dealing with supply-related pressures. Any prolonged closure of CNG filling stations could have wider implications for public transport and private motorists who rely on CNG-powered vehicles, particularly in urban areas where the fuel is widely used.

The association’s decision has, therefore, temporarily eased concerns over an immediate nationwide disruption, but the broader dispute over commission rates, customer deposits and government fees remains unresolved. The authorities and station owners now have until 22 August to reach an understanding and prevent the threatened indefinite closure from taking effect.