Fuel crisis persists in Gazipur despite price hike
Long queues of motorcycles, buses and trucks were seen across the city and district. Bikers, including ride-sharing and delivery workers, faced severe hardship as most pumps halted or limited supply.
Fuel shortages continued in Gazipur today (19 April) despite a recent price hike, leaving drivers waiting for hours at petrol pumps and disrupting transport and delivery services.
Long queues of motorcycles, buses and trucks were seen across the city and district. Bikers, including ride-sharing and delivery workers, faced severe hardship as most pumps halted or limited supply.
Workers at over 100 pumps remained largely idle, while drivers from distant areas waited for fuel. At a few operational pumps, queues stretched for kilometres. Many gathered from morning hoping for supply later in the day.
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Bikers alleged pumps were not allowing full-tank refuelling, forcing repeated queuing.
Jahid, a biker from the DUET area, said, "We heard a few pumps may supply fuel in the afternoon, so everyone is waiting. Prices have increased, but supply has not improved."
Another driver, Nazim Uddin, said he had been waiting since morning after hearing fuel might arrive later.
Pump operators said rationing has limited supply, leaving drivers in distress. Local sources blamed supply shortages and weak management. Authorities said steps are being taken to increase octane supply and normalise distribution.
Meanwhile, yesterday, a mobile court fined two establishments Tk90,000 in Konabari for overpricing and hoarding fuel. The drive was conducted by the district administration and NSI, led by executive magistrate Ahmed Ali Adnan.
Tamim Enterprise was fined Tk20,000 for selling petrol and octane at higher prices, while Ali Filling Station was fined Tk70,000 for hoarding 2,262 litres of octane, 3,324 litres of diesel and 960 litres of petrol. Law enforcers, including BGB, Ansar and intelligence officials, were present.
According to the district administration, as of 18 April, Gazipur had 223,585 litres of diesel, 44,001 litres of petrol and 64,318 litres of octane in stock.
In Gazipur Sadar and city areas, 72 pumps—including 18 CNG stations and some closed units—held 1,22,809 litres of diesel, 7,382 litres of petrol and 41,084 litres of octane.
In Sreepur, stocks stood at 22,592 litres of diesel, 10,135 litres of petrol and 6,231 litres of octane across 13 pumps. Kapasia had 3,610 litres of diesel, 14,900 litres of petrol and 8,950 litres of octane across six pumps.
Kaliganj reported 26,665 litres of diesel, 8,457 litres of petrol and 3,378 litres of octane across eight pumps, while Kaliakoir had 48,839 litres of diesel, 3,127 litres of petrol and 4,675 litres of octane across 17 pumps.
Additional deputy commissioner (overall) Md Shahriar Nazir said Gazipur, a major industrial hub, has high fuel demand across its 104 pumps. He said tag officers have been assigned to prevent irregularities and ensure supply, with regular monitoring in place.
