Motorists spend night in queues at gas stations

The fuel crisis in the capital worsened sharply on Friday, forcing thousands of motorists and professional drivers to spend hours -- and in many cases the entire night -- waiting in long queues at petrol pumps.
From early morning, key roads in Tejgaon, Bijoy Sarani and Paribagh were clogged with vehicles as desperate drivers moved from one filling station to another in search of fuel.
Many stations displayed "No Stock" signs or remained closed, leaving motorists stranded.
Some drivers described a frustrating cycle of "pump-hopping", visiting multiple stations without success.
Shafique, who started his search in Khilkhet, ended up at Trust Fuel Station in Bijoy Sarani around 3:00am after failing to find fuel nearby. By midday, he was still waiting in line.
"When I joined the queue, I was between Mohakhali and Jahangir Gate, near the flyover," he said around noon, appearing exhausted.
"I have spent the whole night and half the day here. I am closer to the pump now, but the wait has been very difficult."
The situation at Trust Fuel Station reflected the wider crisis across the city.
Fuel sales were halted for most of the morning and only resumed shortly before 12:30pm after a tanker arrived to refill the station.
For many, especially those who rely on vehicles for income, the shortage is turning into a serious livelihood crisis.
Uzzal, a ride-sharing motorcyclist, reached Meghna Model Service Station in Paribagh at 6:30am. Even after two hours, he could not refuel and had already lost a day's earnings.
"I am exhausted from standing in these long queues," he told The Financial Express.
"I don't know how long this will continue. I am losing income every day, but I have no alternative work."
A visit to several parts of the city showed a similar picture of disruption and shortage.
At Talukder Filling Station in Asad Gate, the queue stretched up to Zia Udyan, but the station remained closed due to lack of fuel. Near Sonargoan Bangla Filling Station, vehicles blocked the road towards Town Hall, worsening traffic congestion.
In Paribagh, the queue at Meghna Filling Station extended towards PG Hospital, while a nearby station remained shut.
Even senior officials were affected. One government official said he had been waiting in line since early morning, adding that he had no choice given the importance of fuel for daily commuting.
As of Friday afternoon, thousands of vehicles were still lined up across the capital, waiting for fuel supplies that had yet to arrive, underlining a severe disruption in the city's fuel distribution system.

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