A severe shortage of octane and petrol hit filling stations in Tangail, causing suffering for hundreds of bus drivers and motorcyclists. Many filling stations have displayed banners reading “No Octane, No Petrol Supply.” The fuel crisis has also worsened the plight of Eid returnees.
According to reports, people returning to Dhaka after the Eid holidays are facing extreme difficulties due to the fuel shortage. Commuters traveling via the Dhaka–Tangail–Jamuna Bridge highway are particularly affected. Long queues of vehicles have formed at the few stations that still have limited fuel, which often runs out within hours.
Most filling stations have put up signs indicating that octane and petrol are unavailable. In some cases, vehicles are breaking down on roads due to a lack of fuel.
Motorcyclists claimed that fuel is unavailable at pumps, although it is being sold at higher prices outside. “There is no end to our suffering,” one of them said.
Motorcyclist Abul Kalam Azad said, “I am traveling from Bogra to Dhaka after my holiday, but I cannot find fuel anywhere. Even where it is available, they are not selling fuel worth more than Tk 200.”
Another rider Md. Jony said, “I was heading to my workplace in Madhupur by motorcycle, but I ran out of fuel on the way. I had to push my bike for two kilometers to a pump, yet I still could not get fuel. Our suffering is endless.”
Private car driver Md. Bellah said, “The government claims there is sufficient fuel, but it is not available at pumps. There seems to be a syndicate—fuel is being given to influential people, while ordinary citizens are deprived.”
Faruk, a driver of a passenger transport vehicle, said, “Our vehicle requires 70 liters of fuel, but we are only getting 20 to 30 liters. Most of the time, there is no fuel at all. Vehicles often break down mid-journey. We urge the government to resolve this issue quickly.”
Filling station owners say they are struggling due to inadequate supply. “We have run out of octane and petrol and cannot serve customers,” they said.
Mofizur Rahman, owner of Memas Tangail Filling Station, said, “I am personally going to collect fuel, but we are not getting the required supply. There has been no octane for the past four days, petrol ran out yesterday, and diesel is also nearly finished. We are helpless in this situation.”
