Amid km-long fuel queues across Dhaka, the government's new digital 'Fuel Pass' system has had a rocky start, with users reporting server crashes and registration issues.
At the Sonar Bangla Filling Station in Asadgate, the motorcycle queue stretched nearly two kilometres, snaking through Mohammadpur Town Hall and ending at Iqbal Road Park.
A separate line for private cars extended past the Bihari Camp toward Shia Mosque.
The crisis, fuelled by supply shortages linked to the Middle East conflict, has seen pumps overwhelmed by frantic drivers.
The power, energy and mineral resources ministry recently introduced the 'Fuel Pass' mobile app to bring discipline to distribution.
Currently being piloted at the Trust Filling Station in Tejgaon and Sonar Bangla in Asadgate, the system requires drivers to scan a QR code to receive their allotted fuel.
The transition, however, has been far from smooth.
While those who successfully registered moved through shorter lines, the majority found themselves stuck as the registration portal (fuelpass.gov.bd) and app repeatedly crashed.
"I downloaded the app last night and entered all my details, including the chassis number, but the server is down," said Sohel, a driver.
By 7:30pm on Saturday, the website displayed a notice stating the site was "temporarily closed".
Despite the technical glitches, an engineer at the Asadgate pump used a hand mic to warn drivers that fuel would not be sold without a digital pass starting 6am Sunday.
For many, the hunt for fuel has become a full-day ordeal under the scorching Chaitra heat.
At the Talukder Pump opposite Asadgate, the car queue reached the Bijoy Sarani Metro Station via Lake Road.
"I've been waiting six hours for 500 Taka worth of oil," said motorbike rider Shahedul Haque.
"Most pumps in Dhaka are closed. If the supply was normal, I don't think we'd face this."
Sadikur Rahman, a ride-sharing biker, lamented his lost earnings.
"My whole day was spent in line. I haven't made a single trip. I'll start working once I get fuel, and tonight I'll probably have to join another queue," he said.
To obtain a digital pass, users must register by providing their vehicle registration, chassis and engine numbers, along with their National Identity (NID) number, year of manufacture, and mobile number for OTP verification.
Once the information is verified against the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) database, a unique QR code is generated. Those without smartphones can print the code from the website. �"bdnews24.com
