Fuel crisis expected to normalise within 3 days as supply increases, queues shrink: Ministry official
While long lines of cars and motorcycles were seen waiting for fuel from morning until noon, the queues began to shorten after midday
The suffering of drivers waiting for fuel at filling stations across the country has eased since this afternoon (20 April), with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources expecting the situation to normalise within the next two to three days.
While long lines of cars and motorcycles were seen waiting for fuel from morning until noon, the queues began to shorten after midday. Monir Hossain Chowdhury, spokesperson for the ministry, told The Business Standard that fuel distribution at an increased rate will continue.
Consequently, fuel is expected to be available at all pumps nationwide at all times within the next 48 to 72 hours.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"Since this morning, Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna depots across the country have been supplying fuel to all filling stations at an increased rate," Monir stated.
"It took until noon, afternoon, or evening for tank lorries to reach the pumps. Consequently, the queues began to decrease from the afternoon. We hope the situation will stabilise within two to three days," he added.
The development comes two days after the government increased retail fuel prices, citing rising global oil market trends. Due to conflict across the Middle East, the fuel crisis in Bangladesh had taken a severe turn, with vehicles waiting in line for 12-14 hours at various stations.
From Saturday midnight, the price of diesel was increased by Tk15 per litre, petrol by Tk19, and octane by Tk20.
Despite the price hike, the continued difficulty in obtaining fuel led to criticism both inside and outside parliament, with many questioning the accuracy of government data regarding fuel reserves.
In this context, the government announced a 10% increase in the supply of diesel and petrol and a 20% increase in octane starting today.
Spokesperson Monir further noted that the energy minister held a meeting with the DCs and SPs of 64 districts this morning. Managing directors of the marketing companies – Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna – also attended the meeting, where a clear directive was issued to ensure supply from depots to pumps.
"If any petrol pump owner complains that they have not received fuel at the government-announced increased rate, the Energy Division will take strict action against the accused depot," the spokesperson warned.
Field reports this afternoon reflected this improvement. At around 4:30pm, a visit to Meghna Model Services Limited in the capital's Paribagh revealed no long queues or shortages.
Ahmad Rushd, assistant manager of the pump, told TBS, "Previously, we received one tank lorry of 13,500 litres per day. Today, 27,000 litres arrived in two lorries. Everyone arriving will be served."
A similar trend was observed at Asadgate. Queues that previously stretched past Chandrima Uddan toward the northeast corner of the parliament had decreased so significantly by 7pm that they no longer reached the road adjacent to the park.
