TBM Report
A sense of panic has overwhelmed vehicle owners in the capital as fuel stations experience massive crowds and dwindling stocks. On Thursday (March 5, 2026), long queues of motorcycles, private cars, and buses were seen stretching hundreds of meters, with many stations forced to halt operations due to a lack of supply from oil depots.
Most drivers are demanding “full tanks,” fearing a total suspension of supply in the coming days. At the Talukdar Filling Station near Asadgate, staff had to use bamboo barricades to block entries after their reserves hit the critical minimum level. Similarly, at Bijoy Sarani, the queue of nearly 100 vehicles reached 350 meters in length. Pump managers reported that while daily demand remains high, supplies from the depots have reportedly been cut by up to 60%, leaving many outlets in a state of paralysis.
The crisis is hit hardest for ride-sharing bikers and small-scale laborers, who rely on daily fuel for their livelihoods. “If I don’t get fuel, my bike stops, and so does my family’s income,” lamented one biker at Mirpur. Traffic police are struggling to manage the gridlock caused by the spillover of vehicles onto main roads.
