Long queues of vehicles were observed at fuel and gas distribution centres across Dhaka on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, as motorists rushed to fill their tanks. The surge in demand has caused temporary supply disruptions, with several stations halting sales for certain fuel types.
Observations and discussions with sales staff revealed that most consumers were attempting to fill their tanks completely, particularly for diesel and petrol. In some stations, sales from open drums or bottles were suspended. Authorities cited low reserves as the reason, prioritising direct refuelling for vehicles.
Fuel Supply and Sales Status at Key Pumps
| Pump Name & Area | Sales Status | Reserve Stock (litres) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Associates, Mirpur-2 | Diesel open-drum sales suspended | 5,000 | Priority given to motorcycles’ tank refills |
| Khalek Pump, Kallyanpur | Heavy vehicle pressure | ~20,000 | Long-distance buses and private cars in high demand |
| Talukdar Filling Station, Asadgate | Sales temporarily halted | ~400 | Depot supply not received; minimum reserve maintained |
| Trust Refuelling, Bijoy Sarani | Queue extends to road | Unknown | Last vehicle 350m from pump; 97 vehicles waiting |
| Kalshi Sumatra Filling Station | All fuel and LPG sales suspended | 0 | Night stock exhausted |
At around 9:15 a.m., a visit to Sam Associates near Sony Mor in Mirpur-2 revealed long queues of motorcyclists. Sales personnel confirmed that most riders were filling their tanks completely.
Salam Mia, a motorcyclist, told Prothom Alo, “I usually use fuel worth 200–300 BDT daily, but today I filled my tank entirely. If I don’t get fuel, my daily earnings will be affected.”
Regarding the suspension of diesel sales, cashier Sharif Ahmed explained, “Normally, we have 20,000–27,000 litres in stock. Today, reserves have dropped to around 5,000 litres. That’s why open sales are suspended, and we are serving only vehicles directly.”
At Khalek Pump in Kallyanpur, vehicle pressure was 1.5–2 times higher than normal. At Talukdar Filling Station, the entrance was blocked with bamboo poles, while traffic police worked to manage the queues along the street.
One key reason for the sales disruption is delayed deliveries from depots. Talukdar Station manager Tanmoy Bardai stated that when depot vehicles arrive in the afternoon or evening, sales will resume, but only 40% of usual allocations will be provided.
Overall, the combination of motorists filling tanks completely and insufficient supply is deepening the crisis in Dhaka. Experts stress that coordinated supply management and careful monitoring of reserves are essential to reduce congestion and inconvenience.
This report highlights that without proper supply and pump management, the capital’s traffic and residents’ daily routines will increasingly suffer, far beyond the mere urge to fill tanks.