The government has decided to shut CNG filling stations across the country from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm every day.

The decision will come into effect from Tuesday, Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) said in a press release.

Gas supply to the CNG filling stations will be suspended to increase the supply of gas for power generation during the peak hours, it said.

Since September 19 last year, the CNG refuelling stations remained closed for four hours daily from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm following a government order.

Energy industry insiders said the country has to import about 20 percent of its gas at high cost as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and re-gasify to supply the fuel to the local networks.

For the last few months, the price of LNG on the global market witnessed a sharp rise from $6 per MMBtu to over $30 per MMBtu.

“The recent war between Russia and Ukraine has created further volatility on the global market which ultimately forced the authorities concerned to take such measures to reduce supply at CNG pumps,” said an energy industry insider.