The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) plans to set up a CNG-refilling station and conversion workshop of its own on Dhakeshwari Road in old town in a bid to cut its fuel costs, according to DCC officials.

At present, DCC spends Tk 9 lakh per day or Tk 32.40 crore a year as fuel costs for collecting and dumping solid wastes, and transport of the DCC's staff members, sources added.

An official of the DCC said "If we set up a CNG station for our own purposes, fuel cost will be reduced by at least 70 per cent and this will save a huge amount of money."

The site for the CNG station has been selected on Dhakeshwari Road opposite to Janata Bank.

"As this plot of land always remains under illegal occupation, DCC will launch a drive to recover the plot from the illegal occupation," said the official.

DCC has 517 vehicles, including conservancy trucks and staff buses, 250 motorcycles for its supervisors and inspectors of different departments apart from 139 devices such as asphalt plant, pay loader, bulldozer and excavator.

A four-member committee, headed by BM Enamul Hoque, General Manager (Transport), has been formed to implement the programme.

According to an owner of CNG station and conversion workshop, it needs Tk 4 crore to set up a CNG station and minimum Tk 1 crore for running a conversion workshop. The amount varies depending on the storage of conversion equipment.