Drivers across the capital are once again facing severe delays as fuel shortages continue to disrupt the city’s daily commute. On Monday, long queues were reported at numerous filling stations, while some outlets temporarily suspended sales entirely, leaving motorists stranded and frustrated.
Even at stations where fuel is unavailable, drivers of motorcycles, private cars, and other vehicles continue to wait in hopes of diesel, petrol, or octane becoming available. Many reported that their fuel tanks are nearly empty, making it impossible to drive to alternative stations. Leaving the queue often means pushing vehicles manually, a physically demanding task, particularly for those observing fasting.
Fuel Station Status Across Key Areas
A survey conducted Monday morning at nine prominent stations in Mirpur, Kallyanpur, Mohammadpur, Bijoy Sarani, and Kalshi revealed the following situation:
| Area | Station Name | Status | Fuel Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirpur 2 | Sam Associates Ltd | Closed | None |
| Mirpur 2 | Nearby Station | Partial | Diesel only |
| Kallyanpur | Khalek Filling Station | Closed for fuel sales | CNG only |
| Kallyanpur | Comfort Filling & CNG | Partial | CNG only |
| Asadgate | Talukdar Station | Open | Diesel & Octane |
| Shewrapara | Messrs Sabur | Closed | None |
| Shewrapara | AS Filling | Partial | Diesel only |
| Bijoy Sarani | Trust Pump | Open | Diesel & Octane |
| Kalshi | Sumatra Station | Open | Diesel & Octane |
At Mirpur-2, queues of private cars stretched nearly 300 metres from the Institute of Bank Management, with motorcycles lined further ahead. Despite these queues, the station remained closed due to a delay in fuel delivery from the Narayanganj depot. Cashier Arafat Swapnil reported that the station received 4,500 litres of octane on Sunday afternoon, which sold out by 10:30 pm, prompting the temporary suspension of sales.
Hours of Waiting
Motorcycle ride-share driver Selim Mia, who had been waiting since 7:30 am, said, “I have been standing in line for over an hour and a half. The station isn’t selling fuel, and I cannot go to another station because my tank is almost empty. Pushing my bike is not an option while fasting.”
At Kallyanpur’s Khalek Station and the nearby Comfort Filling & CNG station, fuel sales were restricted to CNG gas, while diesel and petrol counters remained closed. Conversely, Asadgate’s Talukdar Station was still selling both diesel and octane, but queues stretched over 1.25 kilometres from the station entrance, reaching the Zia Udyan Lake area.
Private car driver Mohsin Hossain, who joined the queue shortly before 9 am, said this was his first opportunity to refuel since the crisis began. Cashiers confirmed that 27,000 litres of octane arrived overnight, with 20,000 litres already sold, leaving only 7,000 litres for the remaining queue.
Extreme Congestion at Major Stations
The longest queues were observed at the Trust Pump near Bijoy Sarani. By 10:45 am, private cars lined over 1.5 kilometres, extending from Jahangir Gate to Mohakhali’s Universal Medical area. Motorcycle queues reached the Prime Minister’s Office main gate. Similar congestion was seen at Kalshi’s Sumatra Station, where vehicles were queued near ECB Chattar by 11:30 am.
The situation highlights the ongoing strain on fuel distribution networks, forcing motorists to endure lengthy waits and limited options as the city grapples with persistent fuel shortages.