Published : 16 Mar 2026, 01:52 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:28 PM
Although the government has announced the end of fuel rationing, the situation at refuelling stations remained much like last week.
Many pumps were still unable to dispense fuel, and those that were serving customers saw long queues throughout the day on Sunday.
Fuel distribution continued under previous rules: Tk 200 per ordinary bike, 5 litres per ride-sharing bike, and 10 litres per private car.
Pump officials said the government’s order had yet to reach them and normal supply was still pending. They estimated it could take three to four days for operations to stabilise.
The government had hinted at lifting rationing on Saturday, with State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit formally announcing at a Secretariat press conference: “From now, there will be no rationing. Everyone can buy fuel as needed.”
However, with supplies not yet arriving at pumps, many motorists spent hours visiting multiple stations to no avail, heightening frustration.
In the capital, queues at Trust Pump in Allenbari (Bijoy Sarani) extended past Jahangir Gate.
A doctor’s private driver, Golam Maula said: “We checked pumps in Uttara and Kuril but found no fuel, so we queued here.”
Trust Pump still dispensed fuel under rationing, while nearby Meghna pump at Paribagh also saw massive lines; the adjacent Purachal station had no fuel at all.
Hamidur Rahman, a pharma company representative, said: “It took 90 minutes to get 5 litres. When I asked for a full tank, they said the official order hasn’t arrived yet.”
Meghna Pump Manager Mir Azim added, “We haven’t received the government copy yet. Until then, we have to ration fuel.”
Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul of the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers Association said, “Though rationing is lifted, it will take three to four days for supplies to stabilise everywhere.
“Orders must reach each pump, payments made, and fuel transported -- it all takes time.”
