Long queues at fuel pumps paralyse life

A severe fuel shortage has disrupted daily life across Bangladesh, with long queues forming at fuel pumps in Dhaka and other districts as motorists struggle for hours, sometimes up to 10 to 18 hours, to obtain petrol, octane, and diesel. The crisis has significantly affected transport, agriculture, industry, emergency services, and everyday mobility.

On Saturday, nearly all fuel stations in the capital witnessed heavy congestion, with long lines of motorcycles, private cars, microbuses, buses, and ambulances stretching onto surrounding roads. In many areas such as Nilkhet, Moghbazar, Shahbagh, Ramna, Motijheel, and Katabon, queues blocked parts of roads, causing severe traffic congestion and public inconvenience.

Stations including "Poth-er Bondhu Filling Station" in Nilkhet, "Moin Motor Filling Station" in Moghbazar, and several others in Dhaka reported similar scenes. In many locations, "No Fuel" signs were displayed, yet hundreds of drivers continued waiting in hopes of supply resumption.

According to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) guidelines, during supply constraints, motorcycles are typically allowed fuel worth BDT 500 to 1,000, depending on station policy. For private vehicles, rationed distribution often limits refueling to approximately 20-50 litres or partial filling based on availability.

A motorcyclist at Motijheel's Meghna petrol station, who had been waiting for over four hours, said the situation was unprecedented. "I have been riding for 10 years, but I have never seen such a situation. Even after hours of waiting, I am not getting fuel. The reality is completely different from what authorities are saying," he said.

Another rider, Yakub Hossain (36), shared similar frustration, saying he had waited 14 hours last week and was once again standing in line. "Refueling has become a matter of luck," he said.

Motorcycle riders and transport workers are among the worst affected, with many reducing vehicle use to essential travel only, resulting in declining income. The crisis has also sparked criticism over what many describe as a "VIP culture," where influential individuals reportedly bypass queues using administrative or personal connections.