Even after four days have passed since the rationing system was withdrawn, the fuel oil shortage in the country has not yet fully eased.
Scenes of not getting fuel and waiting in long lines at petrol pumps in different regions, including the capital Dhaka, are still visible.
On Wednesday, on-the-ground observations showed that although supply had increased compared to before at some pumps, the overall situation has not returned to normal. In some places there is a complete shortage of fuel, while in others, due to limited supply, long queues of motorcycles, private cars, and buses have formed. Although the pressure of vehicles has decreased somewhat during the Eid holidays, the crowds have not reduced at the pumps where fuel is available.
The same picture has been seen in different areas of the capital. Two pumps in Shewrapara and one pump adjacent to Taltola bus stand remain closed. On the other hand, although the pump on the opposite side of Sheraton Hotel is open, long queues have been noticed there.
An employee of Hajipara Petrol Pump said: “Although our demand is 9,000 liters, only 4,000 liters are being supplied. The fuel runs out shortly after it arrives. In this situation, it becomes difficult to keep the pump operational.”
Pump owners have alleged that the announcement of withdrawing rationing has not been fully implemented in reality. In particular, allegations have been raised against a state-owned oil company for supplying less than half of the demand. As a result, fuel is running out quickly and many pumps are being forced to stop sales.
Co-convener of the Petrol Pump Owners Association, Mizanur Rahman Ratan, said: “Although rationing has been withdrawn on paper, in reality supply is still limited. This has caused suffering for both the general public and pump owners.”
According to dealers, the shortage is not easing due to a lack of increased supply at the depot level. Many are complaining that fuel is still being supplied in limited quantities as per previous instructions, which is creating confusion at the field level.
On the other hand, another group of pump owners’ president, Nazmul Haque, said that the balance of the supply system has been disrupted due to prolonged rationing. It is not possible to normalize it suddenly. However, he expressed hope that the situation will gradually improve.
Overall, despite assurances of increased supply, public suffering had not yet decreased in reality. With Eid travel ahead, there are fears that if the fuel shortage is not fully resolved, the suffering may increase further.