Fuel woes deepen as long queues grip Dhaka

Despite repeated government assurances of sufficient fuel reserves, long queues at filling stations across Dhaka continued into Friday, forcing motorists to wait overnight for refuelling and raising questions about the on-ground situation.

At Meghna Model Filling Station in Paribagh, hundreds of vehicles lined up, with authorities reporting a total of 1,111 vehicles—including 518 motorcycles and 493 private cars—waiting for fuel.

A similar scene was observed at a filling station in Matsya Bhaban, Tejgaon, where more than 800 motorcycles and 358 private cars were queued, highlighting mounting pressure on fuel stations and prolonged delays for motorists.

At Paribagh, private car driver Akhtar Hossain said he had joined the queue around 10:00pm on Thursday but was still waiting as of 11:00am on Friday.

“If we don’t get fuel, we can’t work. No matter how difficult it is, we have to stay in line and then return to duty,” he said, adding that many vehicles were still ahead of him.

Motorcycle rider Saiful Islam shared a similar experience at Matsya Bhaban. He said he had been waiting since 9:30pm the previous night and, even after 10:30am, had yet to receive fuel. Pump authorities told him he might get fuel after noon.

“I planned to spend Friday with my family, but since this fuel crisis began, I haven’t been able to do anything else,” he said.

“I spent the whole night and the entire day just trying to get fuel. I don’t know when this suffering will end.”

He also questioned official claims of no shortage, saying the situation at filling stations tells a different story. Another driver, Abdur Rahim, said he had been in line since 9:00pm but still had not received fuel by 11:00am.

“Authorities say there’s no shortage and more fuel is coming, but the reality at the pumps tells a different story,” he said.

Drivers alleged that queues at filling stations across the capital are growing longer instead of easing, disrupting daily routines and livelihoods.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit said the country has sufficient fuel reserves to meet demand through April and May, with efforts underway to secure supplies for June.

Speaking after visiting Eastern Refinery in Chattogram on Friday, he said current reserves are at a record high and that all fuel imports scheduled for January and February have already arrived.

With refinery operations temporarily halted, the government is prioritising imports of refined fuel and exploring alternative sources, including Malaysia.

Earlier, on April 15, Energy Ministry spokesperson Monir Hossain Chowdhury said there would be no supply disruptions over the next two months, citing existing stocks of diesel, octane, petrol and furnace oil.