Bangladesh faces mounting fuel woes as price surges lead to massive queues at gas stations nationwide. The ripple effects of Iran-US tensions have hit hard, prompting hoarding amid fears of scarcity. Even as authorities vow ample reserves, public anxiety shows no signs of easing.
The Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Division announced the hikes on April 18. Per liter increases: diesel 15 Taka, octane 20 Taka, petrol 19 Taka, kerosene 18 Taka. Implemented from Sunday evening, the changes have upended transport and commerce.
Reports detail agonized waits for everyone from taxi drivers to shopkeepers. In Mirpur, ride-hailing driver Abdul Karim lamented a 30% income plunge. ‘Fuel queues waste my 2-3 hours daily, cutting my 12-14 trips short,’ he revealed to The Dhaka Tribune.
Uttara resident and teacher Shahana Begum described her ordeal: a 90-minute wait the previous evening for fuel. ‘Daily planning is now a nightmare; lines are unpredictable,’ she added.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation’s top brass pointed to demand surges and logistical snarls. An unnamed senior officer clarified, ‘No fuel deficit countrywide, but rapid demand growth and scheduling problems hit some outlets.’
Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku addressed the media in Dhaka, likening it to war times. He explained the necessity: foreign currency purchases demand price tweaks to maintain balance amid global turmoil.
Critics like M. Shamsul Alam of the Consumers Association decried the move. ‘Government pledged no mid-month hikes; this violates trust and their own guidelines,’ Alam charged.
The standoff between official reassurances and on-ground reality underscores deeper issues in supply chains. As lines persist, Bangladesh’s economy braces for impacts on mobility, businesses, and household budgets. Swift interventions are crucial to restore calm.
