Filling station queues extend a country mile

A deepening energy crisis has left the capital grappling with a severe fuel shortage.
Filling stations across Dhaka have been unable to meet the surging demand, forcing motorists into gruelling hours of waiting for strictly rationed supplies.
The impact triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East was visible across the city on Monday.
Major thoroughfares near fuel hubs turned into parking lots as hundreds of vehicles lined up, hoping for a refill.
At the Trust Filling Station in Tejgaon, the queue stretched toward Mohakhali, while similar congestion took place on the Shahbagh-bound lane near Meghna Filling Station in Paribagh.
The scarcity has forced pump owners to implement strict rationing.
At Purbachal Filling Station, operations were halted at midday to unload fresh stock from a long-awaited tanker.
As soon as the delivery arrived, over 100 motorcyclists swarmed the entrance.
"We ran out of stock completely," said Sohel, a salesperson at the station.
"We are resuming now, but each motorcycle is limited to a maximum of Tk 500 worth of fuel."
This cap has sparked widespread frustration among commuters.
At Talukdar Filling Station near Asadgate, bikers reported waiting for over three hours just to reach the nozzle.
For many, the physical and temporal cost of getting fuel outweighs the amount received.
Niaz, a motorcyclist at Sonar Bangla Filling Station, expressed the collective exhaustion of the city's workforce.
"I have spent hours in this heat only to get Tk 500 worth of oil," he lamented.
"This barely lasts three days. I will be back in this same line, wasting more productivity, before the week is even over. If they gave us a full tank, the wait would at least feel justified."
As geopolitical instability continues to strain global supply chains, the fuel uncertainty in Dhaka remains a looming threat to the city's mobility and economic pace.
Meanwhile, the government announced a cash reward of up to Tk 100,000 for individuals or entities providing accurate information to local authorities about illegal hoarding and smuggling of fuel oil.
In a press release issued on Monday, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division said the initiative aims to ensure the rational use of high-cost imported fuel and prevent artificial supply disruptions in the domestic market.
According to the statement, certain unscrupulous groups have been attempting to create instability by illegally stockpiling and smuggling fuel.
To curb such activities, the government has decided to incentivise whistleblowers who assist the administration with credible information.
The identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential, the release said.
The respective deputy commissioners (DCs) will verify the information and ensure disbursement of the reward money.
The financial incentive will be open to all individuals, institutions, and organisations.
The Energy and Mineral Resources Division urged citizens to actively cooperate with the authorities in safeguarding the stability of the energy sector, describing public participation as essential to tackle illegal practices.
Officials believe that ensuring protection and incentives for informants will help strengthen enforcement efforts and maintain transparency and discipline in the fuel supply chain.
UNB adds: Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood on Monday told Parliament that currently there is no energy shortage rather fuel hoarding and excessive purchase are creating problems in the country.
"I want to make it clear that there is no shortage of fuel in Bangladesh so far. In fact, we have increased the supply more than last year," he said.
The Minister made this remark while delivering a statement under Section 300 of the Rules of Procedure in the House to raise the energy supply situation in the country amid panic buying triggered by the Middle East war.
He said the government has been able to ensure higher fuel supply this year compared to the volume sold at this time last year.
Iqbal Hassan Mahmood said definitely the actual consumption of people suddenly could not have doubled within a year. "This unusual change makes it clear to us that the mentality of fuel hoarding is now a bigger problem than fuel shortage," he said.
"Despite our adequate supplies and preparations, if people buy more than they need or hoard illegally in villages and towns, normal supplies will inevitably be disrupted," he added.
The Energy Minister stressed the need for creating trust and awareness among the people to address the present energy problem.
Noting that cooperation from the people is very essential here, he urged the people to avoid additional purchase, refrain from hoarding and reserve, stop energy and power wastage and raise voice against hoarding and illegal connections.
The Energy Minister said the government has taken comprehensive preparations to ensure uninterrupted energy supply in the country despite global uncertainty.
He said the world is passing through instability due to international conflicts, geopolitical tensions, supply chain risks and uncertainty in fuel transportation, particularly in the Middle East, which has put pressure on global energy supply systems.
The impact of this situation has also reached Bangladesh, but under the directive of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government has taken timely and effective preparations to keep the energy supply normal, he said.
He informed the House that when the government assumed office on February 17, 2026, diesel stock stood at 206,000 metric tons, and as of March 30, 2026, diesel stock increased to 218,000 metric tons. During the 41 days from February 17 to March 29, a total of more than 482,000 metric tons of diesel was sold, yet stock levels increased due to advance import and effective management.
Iqbal Hassan said the government has taken advance measures to ensure smooth transportation, agricultural production, industrial operations and business activities ahead of the Holy Eid-ul-Fitr.
He added that based on March 2025 demand, the government ensured 10 to 25 percent additional fuel supply in March 2026 to prevent any crisis or artificial market pressure.
He said last year's daily diesel demand in March was around 12,000 metric tons, while petrol and octane demand ranged between 1,200 and 1,400 metric tons respectively. But this year, abnormal increases in fuel purchases have been observed in many areas, indicating hoarding tendencies rather than real demand growth.
"Fuel supply is adequate, but excessive purchases and illegal hoarding are creating artificial pressure," he said.
The minister informed the House that the government has launched enforcement drives against illegal hoarding and fuel smuggling.
So far, some 3,168 mobile court operations have been conducted, 153 cases filed, fines were imposed, and 16 persons sentenced to imprisonment. Authorities also seized 140,000 litres of diesel, 22,000 litres of octane and 23,000 litres of petrol, he said.
He warned that the government will take tougher action against hoarders and smugglers in the interest of the public and national security.
The minister said that fuel import arrangements have already been made to ensure supply continuity. In April, 50,000 metric tons of fuel (octane) will be imported under existing agreements, while an additional 30,000 metric tons will be sourced locally to meet demand for the coming months.
He highlighted that the government is maintaining stable fuel prices despite price hikes in the international market.
Currently, diesel is being sold at around Tk 100 per litre while the actual cost has risen significantly due to global price increases. Similarly, octane and petrol are being sold below international market rates, with the government bearing substantial subsidies to protect consumers.
"The government believes that in times of global crisis, the first responsibility of the state is to stand beside the people and ensure their protection," he added.
Iqbal Hassan said many countries declared energy emergencies and restricted industrial and educational activities due to fuel shortages, but Bangladesh has kept transportation, industries, agriculture, education and business activities running smoothly.

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