Commuters in Dhaka have been enduring long hours in fuel queues, with some waiting up to 14 hours to fill up, despite government claims of record fuel reserves. The queues, often stretching for hundreds of metres, have caused severe frustration among motorists, with many spending their entire day in line.
Tarikul Islam, a private-sector worker, was among those who waited from the early hours of the morning.
“I arrived at the pump at 4am, hoping to get fuel early and head back home to sleep, but by 6pm, I was still far behind in the queue,” he said, visibly exhausted after a grueling wait. “There’s no other way to get around without fuel, but it’s tough to spend this much time waiting, especially on workdays.”
At the Meghna Service Centre and Filling Station in Paribagh, Dhaka, hundreds of motorcycles and cars were queued up as early as dawn, with some drivers reporting that they had been waiting since the night before.
The heat and lack of basic facilities, like toilets, have further added to the discomfort, as drivers like Mohammad Shakib explained. “The worst part is the lack of toilets. I’ve been standing here since last night, and there’s no chance to rest. It’s unbearable.”
Ariful Haque, a driver, described how he had been sitting in his car for hours, eating and resting in the vehicle as he waited for his turn. “I’ve heard the government is saying there’s no shortage of fuel, but when I come to the pump, it doesn’t feel that way. The lines keep getting longer instead of shorter,” he said.
His frustration mirrored that of many others, who are increasingly skeptical of the government’s claims.
Minister claims historic fuel reserves, but public doubts grow
Despite the long queues and growing public frustration, Anindya Islam, the state minister for power, energy, and mineral resources, has insisted that Bangladesh holds its highest-ever fuel reserves, comparable to European standards. “We have nearly six weeks’ worth of fuel in reserve, just like many European countries.
We are also working to ensure that supplies for June are secured,” the minister said in a statement on Friday after visiting the Eastern Refinery in Chattogram.
However, the situation at the fuel pumps tells a different story. According to the minister, production at Eastern Refinery has been halted due to a shortage of crude oil, with the shutdown expected to continue until Saturday. Two shipments of crude oil from the Middle East have been delayed, further complicating the situation.
The government has been actively exploring alternative sources to replenish stocks, with shipments expected to arrive in the coming weeks. “This fuel crisis is not just a problem for Bangladesh but for all countries dependent on Middle Eastern oil,” Islam said.
Police and emergency services seek special treatment
Adding to the tensions, the Bangladesh Police Association has demanded separate queues for law enforcement vehicles, a request that has sparked further anger among the public. Many are questioning the fairness of creating special lines for certain groups when ordinary citizens are left waiting for hours, often without fuel.
“How can it be fair for emergency services to receive priority when ordinary citizens are suffering from long waits and still not getting fuel?” one frustrated driver questioned.
