DHAKA: The honking gaggles of cars in the capital have to drive in low gear amid Ramadan rush, as the government opted for shutdown of gas stations at peak hour of the day.  

Under the rationing recipe to make do with the limited output of the fuel, the CNG refueling stations in and around the capital will have to close for hours from 3pm to 9pm from August 16.

The decision was taken to increase power generation apart from keeping gas pressure normal for households, said Managing Director of Titas Gas Distribution Company M Aziz Khan.

Khan said, “The government decided to divert gas supply from the CNG stations to the power plants under rationing system to meet the increased demand for electricity in Ramadan.”

Petrobangla chairman Professor Dr. Hossain Mansur Thursday told banglanews24.com.bd that the Titas Gas Distribution Company authorities began issuing letters to the filling-station owners asking them to keep those closed for six hours from the given date.

Mansur continued: We have taken the decision so that the city-dwellers may not suffer from low gas pressure in cooking food during Ramadan. Besides, our power generation that mostly depends on gas is declining for want of gas.

Petrobangla has held discussions with owners of the re-rolling mills and lime factories besides other industries to keep their factories shut from 5pm to 11, though the decision is yet to be finalised.

General Secretary of CNG Gas Station Owners Association Zakir Hossain told banglanews24.com.bd they heard the news but did not get any official communication in this connection. They will decide on the matter after getting the letter.

BDST: 1955 HRS. AUGUST 12, 2010