The seven-day government holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr began on Tuesday, yet even on the first day of the break, long queues of vehicles were reported at fuel stations across the capital. Citizens were seen waiting patiently to refill their vehicles, reflecting both high demand and limited supply.
A field visit at 10:00 am to the Sonar Bangla Service Station near Asad Gate revealed that the queue for fuel stretched over a kilometre. Motorcycles, private cars, mini buses, and pickups were all lined up, although motorcycle queues were comparatively shorter than on normal days.
Mohammad Jasim, a private car driver waiting at the station, said, “On other days, the waiting time is even longer. Today, fortunately, it is taking comparatively less time.” By 10:30 am, the station was still supplying fuel according to demand.
In contrast, at Talukdar Filling Station, fuel supply was suspended briefly before 10:00 am. At that time, a long line of vehicles was waiting. By 10:30 am, the queue had grown to over a hundred vehicles. The station cashier, Mohammad Azam, said, “We have run out of fuel temporarily. Supply will resume once more stock arrives, which is expected around 2:00 pm.”
Shihab Ahmed, another private car driver waiting at the station, commented, “Fuel distribution stopped suddenly before 10:00 am. Even on a holiday, the queues are long, and I cannot estimate how long I will have to wait.”
Meanwhile, at the Trust Filling Station on Bijoy Sarani, vehicles formed extensive lines. Motorcycle queues extended up to the Prime Minister’s Office, while private car queues reached as far as Jahangir Gate.
Russel Ahmed, a ride-sharing driver, had waited about 50 minutes to reach near the station. He plans to ride to his family home in Pabna during the Eid holidays and wanted to fill his tank beforehand. He stated, “I have heard that fuel shortages in rural areas are even more severe. Considering the holiday, I am willing to wait. On other days, I have waited even longer; today, it is slightly better.”
The table below summarises the observed fuel station conditions:
| Filling Station | Primary Vehicles | Queue Length / Range | Supply Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonar Bangla, Asad Gate | Cars, mini buses, motorcycles | Over 1 km | Fuel being supplied normally |
| Talukdar Station | Cars, pickups | 100+ vehicles | Temporarily suspended |
| Trust, Bijoy Sarani | Motorcycles, cars | Motorcycles: up to PMO, Cars: Jahangir Gate | Limited supply |
The Eid holiday has highlighted the capital’s ongoing fuel supply challenges. While waiting times are slightly reduced compared to peak days, queues remain long due to high demand, particularly from citizens preparing to travel to rural areas. Station authorities have assured that supply will continue as new stock arrives, but commuters may still experience delays throughout the holiday period.
In summary, Eid has not eased the strain on fuel distribution in the city, and motorists continue to face long queues, reflecting both the festive rush and ongoing supply limitations.
