The start of a seven-day public holiday for Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday has failed to ease pressure on fuel supplies in the capital, as long queues of vehicles continued to form outside major filling stations.
A visit to a busy service station near Asad Gate at around 10:00 in the morning showed a queue stretching well beyond one kilometre. Motorcycles, private cars, minibuses, and pickup trucks were all waiting in line to refuel. Although the number of motorcycles appeared slightly lower than on typical working days, the overall situation remained strained due to high demand.
Drivers reported long waiting times, though some noted a slight improvement compared with previous days. One private car driver said that, while queues remained lengthy, the waiting time was relatively shorter than usual. By approximately 10:30, fuel supply at this station was continuing steadily, and demand was being met without interruption.
However, conditions were different at a nearby filling station in the same area. Although fuel distribution had begun earlier in the morning, it was suddenly halted shortly before 10:00 after supplies ran out. At that time, a large number of vehicles were already waiting in line. By 10:30, more than one hundred vehicles remained queued, with drivers uncertain about when service would resume.
According to station staff, fresh fuel supplies were expected to arrive later in the day, possibly around 14:00. This uncertainty caused frustration among motorists. One driver stated that the sudden halt in fuel sales had disrupted plans, and despite it being a public holiday, the queues had not reduced.
Similar scenes were observed in the Bijoy Sarani area, where another major filling station saw extensive congestion. Motorcycle queues stretched as far as the Prime Minister’s Office, while lines of private cars extended up to Jahangir Gate, indicating the scale of demand during the holiday period.
A ride-sharing driver who had been waiting for প্রায় 50 minutes said he planned to travel to his hometown during the holiday. Concerned about more severe shortages outside the capital, he chose to wait and fill his tank completely before departing.
Summary of Observations
| Location Area | Queue Length | Vehicle Types | Supply Status | Estimated Waiting Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asad Gate main station | Over 1 kilometre | Mixed vehicles | Ongoing | Moderate |
| Nearby Asad Gate station | Several hundred metres | Mixed vehicles | Suspended | High |
| Bijoy Sarani station | Extending to key landmarks | Motorcycles and cars | Ongoing | Around 50 minutes |
The situation highlights a clear imbalance between fuel supply and increased holiday demand. With many residents preparing to leave the city, pressure on filling stations is expected to remain high throughout the festive period unless supply improves significantly.