Queues persist at Ctg fuel stations despite US-Iran ceasefire
A heavy influx of vehicles has been observed at the QC Trading Limited filling station.
Despite the announcement of a ceasefire in the US-Iran war, the suffering of commuters in long queues at fuel pumps in Chattogram has not eased.
Since early today (9 April), a heavy influx of vehicles has been observed at the QC Trading Limited filling station in the city's Chawkbazar area.
Ignoring the rain and overcast skies, hundreds of drivers waited in line that stretched from Chawkbazar's Rahamatganj to the Anderkilla mor.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Although fuel distribution at the pumps was scheduled to begin at 9:30am, many drivers arrived and joined the line early in the morning.
Rezaul Karim, a motorcyclist in the queue, told TBS that he had hoped the news of the ceasefire would stabilise the fuel supply and reduce waiting times. However, in reality, he saw no improvement in the situation.
Sarwar Hasan stated that he had been waiting in line since 6:30am in hopes of getting fuel.
Media professional Md Wadud told TBS, "I arrived at 5:30am and got the 30th serial number. Due to the uncertainty of getting fuel on time, many of us are coming to the pumps very early."
Car driver Saidul Islam said, "I joined the line with my car right after Fajr prayers so that I could collect enough fuel to carry out the day's work."
Md Fakhruddin Islam Shimul, pump manager of Fossil Petrol Pump in Muradpur told TBS, "There has been no visible improvement in supply despite the ceasefire news. The shortage remains acute compared to demand. Stations are not receiving sufficient fuel from companies."
Mohammad Moin Uddin, member secretary of the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association (Chattogram division), said the impact of the ceasefire has not yet been significantly felt in Chattogram.
He noted that a distribution arrangement is in place, supplying around 80% of stations on one day and the remaining 20% the next, which has slightly eased pressure compared to before.
He added that the future situation will largely depend on how long the ceasefire holds.
