Photo: BSS

DHAKA, April 29, 2026 (BSS) - Long queues of customers at fuel stations across the capital have suddenly disappeared with pump operators reporting a sharp decline in demand.

A few days ago, customers had to wait in extended lines to purchase fuel but those queues are now gone. With fewer customers, employees at many filling stations are passing idle time.

A visit today to the Q.J. Samdani & Co. Filling Station in the Nilkhet area, adjacent to Dhaka University, found employees Hridoy and Sohel engaged in casual conversation. 

After serving a motorcyclist, Nahid joined them, with no customers in sight.

"We are sitting at the pump with fuel, but there are almost no customers. In the last three hours, fewer than 50 customers have come for fuel," Hridoy said.

Saiful Islam, an operator at Purbachal Traders Filling Station on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, said he served only two motorcyclists with octane fuel between noon and 3:30 pm. 

"Just a week ago, we were struggling to manage fuel sales here. There were long lines and heavy crowds but now the pressure fell," said Saiful.

Similar scenarios were observed at Ramna Petrol Pump in the Matsya Bhaban area of the capital. A few motorcycles were seen at the station with no tail behind those as they were having fuel almost on arrival.

Emon Hossain, a student at a private university at the Ramana Fuel Station said he collected fuel using the fuel pass and there was not much of a queue. 

"As panic has subsided, the lines have also reduced," he observed.

Discussions with pump authorities and customers revealed that the main reasons behind the sudden drop in queues are reduced public panic, increased fuel supply, and the introduction of the fuel pass system.

In a message issued yesterday, the Energy Division made QR code-based fuel pass systems mandatory at 11 filling stations in the capital.

Earlier, on April 21, the government increased fuel supply. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) raised diesel and petrol supply by 10 percent and octane supply by 20 percent. 

Since then, panic has gradually declined, leading to shorter queues.

Nazmul Haque, president of the Petrol Pump Owners' Association and owner of Ramna Petrol Pump, said, "There are no longer queues at pumps as public panic has subsided. Increased supply has also contributed to this change."

Since the onset of the Middle East-centric crisis, the government has repeatedly stated that there is no fuel shortage in the country and that sufficient stock is available, alongside ongoing imports. 

At Sonar Bangla Filling Station, a moderate crowd was seen for fuel pass registration. 

Around 50 motorcyclists were present at 3:40 pm, waiting for fuel while a few days ago, long lines were common at this station.

Hemolal Mondal (Himalay), Head of Business Operations at Sonar Bangla Filling Station, said, "The government has increased supply, and we are meeting demand accordingly. Public panic has decreased, so queues have almost disappeared."

He also noted that fuel pass system has also contributing at this instance.

The Energy Division said that as of yesterday more than 300,000 motorcycles have been registered under the fuel pass system alongside more than 13,000 other private vehicles.