THE Ministry of Energy declared that CNG vehicles which have not undergone annual inspection and CNG cylinder testing will be permanently removed from the CNG vehicle list starting from 1 May. The Automotive Natural Gas Department of Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, operated under the Ministry of Energy, has been opening CNG filling stations in Yangon Region, Paleik in Mandalay Region, and Chauk and Yenangyoung townships in Magway Region to provide affordable natural gas to vehicles without any holidays and ensure smooth transportation of the people. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is natural gas compressed into cylinders at high pressure. If cylinders lack structural integrity, if valves are not secure, or if pipes are not robust, gas leaks can cause fire explosions, potentially harming users. Therefore, to ensure the safety of travellers, the Automotive Natural Gas Department conducts annual inspections with special attention. Only vehicles that pass the inspection are issued a CNG usage permit book and card that authorizes the vehicle to legally operate using CNG and confirms that the fuel system complies with safety regulations.
Furthermore, cylinders that have been in use for five years since their manufacturing date must undertake their first inspection. After the second five-year period, they undergo a second pressure test. These tests are systematically conducted by the CNG Vehicle Natural Gas Department using proper equipment. For cylinders exceeding 15 years of service life, extensions may be granted based on the manufacturing country and quality assurance, but most cylinders are designated as “Reject” and then destroyed.
Therefore, vehicle owners must conduct the mandatory annual inspections for the safety and security of the public. If an investigation finds that a vehicle owner is using expired cylinders without complying with regulations, the sale of gas to that CNG vehicle will be permanently suspended.
Consequently, the Ministry of Energy urges and informs CNG vehicle owners to contact the CNG Department and carry out annual inspection and cylinder testing by 30 April 2026, to obtain a new CNG purchase book and card.
From 1 May 2026, vehicles that have exceeded five years without undergoing annual inspection will be permanently removed from the CNG vehicle list. Regarding vehicles for which the annual inspection was overdue, the following penalties will apply to them: three-month suspension to purchase CNG for one-year overdue, six-month suspension for two years, nine months for three-year expiry, and one year for four-year expiry. During the suspension period, gas will not be sold to those vehicles.
The Ministry of Energy notified CNG vehicle owners to strictly adhere to safety inspection programmes conducted by the Automotive Natural Gas Department to ensure safe and secure travel for passengers. — NN/KK
