Mohammad Anas stood in a long queue at Purbachal Traders Filling Station, pushing his motorcycle under the scorching sun instead of riding it.
“Since Friday is the weekly holiday and I was out of fuel, I thought I would refill the tank. I did not expect queues to be this long even on a Friday,” he said.
Asked why he was pushing the motorcycle, Anas said repeatedly starting and stopping the engine would quickly drain what little fuel he had left.
Similar scenes were observed at filling stations visited by TIMES of Bangladesh correspondents.
Motorcyclists pushed their vehicles through long queues, while private car owners moved forward in short bursts and stepped out frequently to cope with the heat.
The government has, meanwhile, hinted at a possible adjustment in fuel prices to protect state finances.
“A decision on fuel prices may come soon in the public interest and to safeguard government funds,” Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said at a programme in Chattogram on Friday.
He acknowledged that higher fuel prices could push up fertiliser and food costs, adding that the impact is being considered.
He warned that any disruption in energy supply could halt agricultural and industrial production.
“From today, my own 30 per cent fuel rationing has started. If I need more, I will have to pay for it myself,” Khosru said, referring to the government initiative that has reduced fuel allocations for the prime minister and ministers by 30 per cent amid the crisis.
He said the ongoing Middle East conflict has strained global supply chains, forcing Bangladesh to procure fuel from multiple sources at higher costs to keep supplies stable.
While sharing his concerns, Mohammad Anas blamed hoarding for worsening the crisis.
“While everyone, including the government, is trying to ease the situation, some people are illegally hoarding fuel for extra profit,” he added.
Mohammad Amin waited for about half an hour at Meghna Service Centre and Filling Station in Poribagh.
“I am very low on fuel and cannot go out tomorrow if I do not get some today,” he said.
“Standing in queues for hours every day has become a hassle,” he added.
Ride sharers say they are among the hardest hit.
They are losing working hours while struggling to secure fuel, several drivers told TIMES.
Mohammad Rashed said he checked at least three stations before joining a queue at QG Samdani Filling Station in Nilkhet.
“We lose hours, struggle, and sometimes have to push our bikes if fuel runs out before reaching a station, or if the station runs dry before our turn,” he said.
Filling station operators say they are also under pressure.
Pather Bandhu Filling Station owner Mohammad Aslam said supplies are being rationed.
“We have to distribute fuel among vehicles, hospitals, government offices, and private institutions. Everyone is facing difficulties,” he said.
“Sometimes people get aggressive and accuse us of hoarding when we cannot meet their demand,” he added.
At a station in Banglabazar, a sign read, “Octane, petrol not available.”
Operators said extended hours depend on supply.
“Though we usually do not operate at night, we sometimes stay open late depending on availability,” said Nilkhet-based operator Bishwa Paul.
The crisis has triggered panic buying and hoarding since tensions escalated in the Middle East between Iran and the United States–Israel alliance.
Fears intensified after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for South Asian fuel imports.
Although Iran has assured that fuel shipments to Bangladesh will not be disrupted, and the government has secured supplies from spot markets and multiple sources, concerns persist.
Bangladesh imports about 95 per cent of its fuel.
