CNG-powered auto-rickshaw drivers in Jamalpur, Bangladesh, disrupted traffic on the Jamalpur-Tangail highway for about three hours on Thursday, August 13, protesting persistent shortages of natural gas at the area’s only major CNG filling station.

The drivers began their protest near a filling station at about 7:40am before moving onto the highway and stopping vehicles. The action created a traffic queue stretching nearly two kilometres and left commuters stranded, with some passengers reportedly abandoning vehicles and continuing their journeys on foot.

The drivers said the shortage has forced them to spend several hours waiting for gas, reducing the time available for them to work and significantly affecting their daily earnings.

According to the protesters, Jabed Filling Station has been the main source of CNG for auto-rickshaws in Jamalpur. About 3,000 CNG-powered vehicles registered in Jamalpur Sadar rely on the station, while an additional 2,000 vehicles from neighbouring districts also reportedly use it.

One of the drivers, Arif Mia, said the heavy demand at the single filling station meant drivers sometimes remained in queues until the afternoon before getting enough gas to operate.

Police intervened after receiving reports of the highway blockade. Jamalpur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Najmus Sakib said officers engaged the protesters and persuaded them to end the demonstration.

The drivers agreed to withdraw the blockade at around 10:40am, allowing traffic along the highway to gradually return to normal.

The protesters are calling for improved access to CNG and additional filling stations to ease the pressure on the existing facility and protect their livelihoods.