LPG shortage halts autogas, hits vehicle owners

An acute shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has forced most autogas stations across Bangladesh to suspend operations, creating severe hardship for thousands of vehicle owners and drivers.
Serajul Mawla, president of the Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association, said the crisis has disrupted transport services, with LPG-powered vehicle owners spending hours searching for fuel, often returning empty-handed. 
He made the remarks at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday.
Autogas – LPG used as a cleaner and cost-effective fuel for vehicles – plays a vital role in the transport sector. According to the association, Bangladesh consumes around 1.40 lakh tonnes of LPG each month.
Serajul urged the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure an uninterrupted supply of at least 10% of total monthly LPG consumption for autogas stations. 
He warned that a collapse of the autogas sector would affect nearly 150,000 LPG-powered vehicle owners, many of whom could be forced to remove LPG kits and switch to alternative fuels.
He also highlighted the financial losses being suffered by autogas station owners due to the ongoing shortage.
Md Hasin Parvez, general secretary of the association, called on the government to urgently normalise LPG imports, investigate the causes of the crisis, and take immediate steps to resolve it, citing the state’s moral and constitutional responsibility to protect citizens.