The communications ministry has approved six CNG (compressed natural gas) refuelling stations and approval of seven others are pending all of which will be sited on Batali Hill, said a press release of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa) yesterday.

The ministry has approved the plan without obtaining clearance from the Department of Environment and approval of railway authorities, the press release alleged.

The implementation of the plan will only facilitate some interest groups, destroying landscape of Chittagong, speakers said at a citizens' rally in the city yesterday.

Batali Hill is shown as a 'special open area' in the master plan of Chittagong city, they said.

The speakers alleged the government has taken measures to build CNG stations in the water bodies in Tejgaon.

"Most of the water bodies in Dhaka have already been occupied. It will create serious water logging in the city if the rest are filled up," the speakers observed.

They warned that reducing surface water sources by occupying water bodies that will create drinking water crisis in Dhaka.

The Bapa urged the government to cancel all programmes that may cause damage to the environment.