Ctg gas crisis triggers road blockade, Sholashahar traffic halted for 5 hours

Hundreds of CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers blocked a key road in Chattogram’s Sholashahar today (14 August), causing a five-hour traffic standstill over the ongoing gas crisis.

Frustrated drivers blocked the road between Muradpur and Sholashahar No 2 Gate from 6am to 11am, bringing traffic to a complete standstill.

This sudden gridlock caused severe distress for morning commuters. Many drivers said they spent the night in long queues at Sholashahar’s filling stations but could not refuel due to low gas pressure, leaving them unable to take their vehicles onto the road.

Abdul Latif, one of the protesting drivers, said, “I have been waiting in line for over 18 hours. Since I couldn’t get gas, I can’t run my vehicle. As a result, I am unable to earn enough to meet my family’s expenses.”

Another driver, Shahidul, said he had been waiting with his vehicle for gas for more than 24 hours. Still without gas, he remains unable to take to the road, saying no one has given a clear assurance on when supplies will resume.

“If we sit idle with our vehicles day after day, our income stops completely. I fail to understand how I will support my family under such circumstances,” he added.

Mobarrak Hossain, another driver, said, “I haven’t been able to drive for the past two days. We are living a miserable life. Even though we cannot get gas, we still have to pay the daily vehicle rental fee to the owner. On top of that, there are daily family expenses.”

Officials at several filling stations in Chattogram told The Business Standard that they were unable to supply gas from their stations due to a suspension in central supply. Meanwhile, upon receiving news of the blockade, police rushed to the scene and spoke to the drivers to bring the situation under control.

Confirming the incident, Panchlaish Police Station Officer in Charge Md Zahidul Islam said, “Additional police personnel were deployed at the spot to keep traffic normal. After we explained the situation to the drivers; they agreed to clear the road. Vehicular movement on the road has now returned to normal.”