Chattogram filling stations see long queues amid fuel price hike

Following the recent increase in fuel prices, filling stations across Chattogram are witnessing a sharp surge in customers, with long queues of vehicles forming throughout the city.

Visits to several stations today (19 April) revealed that motorbike and car drivers are waiting for hours under the scorching sun to refuel.

Although supply remains normal at many pumps, employees are struggling to manage the sudden spike in demand.

Customers standing in lengthy queues appeared anxious and frustrated. Many fear that the price hike could trigger a more severe shortage, prompting drivers to fill their tanks in advance.

Stakeholders have blamed the outdated fuel rationing system for the current instability in the sector.

Pump owners and managers say allocations from depots are still based on last year's demand, which is insufficient under present conditions.

They questioned the rationale behind equating 2025 demand with that of 2026, noting that the number of vehicles has increased, driving up fuel consumption.

According to them, it is impossible to meet current demand while maintaining last year's allocation method.

Those involved in the sector believe that demand is unlikely to decline despite higher prices, and warn that public suffering may worsen unless supply is increased promptly.

Md Ariful Islam, manager of Dampara CMP Fuel Station, told The Business Standard that the station receives an average daily allocation of 9,000 litres of fuel, split equally between diesel and octane.

"To manage the situation, we have set a maximum sales limit of Tk500 worth of fuel per motorbike, which allows us to serve more customers," he said.

Wazedul Roman, manager of Tigerpass Agencies Limited, said, "The severity of the situation is visible to the naked eye. As long as we have stock, we continue to provide service, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage the endless line of vehicles."

Meanwhile, Fossil Petrol Pump in Muradpur and Alhaj Foyej Ahmed & Sons Filling Station at Probortok Mor temporarily suspended fuel sales this morning.

Authorities at the pumps said their existing stock had been exhausted and distribution would resume once new consignments arrive.

As a result, many drivers are moving from one station to another in search of fuel, further increasing pressure on operational pumps.

Emadul Hasan, a motorbike rider who had been waiting in line for a long time, told TBS, "I have been waiting in the sun for around 40 minutes. Despite the price hike, there is no alternative but to buy fuel for commuting. However, the uncertainty in supply is causing significant suffering for ordinary people."