Despite price hike, crisis across the country has not ended, hours of waiting at the pump

Despite the increase in fuel prices, the crisis across the country has not ended. Many customers are not getting the necessary fuel despite standing in long lines at petrol pumps. They are suffering immensely after waiting for hours today (April 19). The situation is currently most serious in Rangpur division. Although some filling stations in urban areas are supplying fuel, authorities have been forced to temporarily close many pumps due to severe shortages in rural areas. There has been a shortage of diesel in particular, which is negatively affecting the agriculture and transport sectors.
A similar crisis has also arisen in Rajshahi, Chittagong, Khulna and Mymensingh divisions. Filling station owners said that this situation has arisen due to non-recurring supply from depots. As a result, it is not possible to supply fuel as per demand. Meanwhile, the news of fuel price hike has increased anxiety among ordinary consumers. Many say that the suffering already caused by the crisis has become more difficult due to the price hike.
On the other hand, in Satkhira, there have been allegations that some filling stations are not selling stockpiled oil at the previous price despite the instructions of the district administration. This morning, petrol and octane were seen being sold at the new prices set by the government at the AB Khan filling station in the city.
The district administration said that 29 filling stations in the district have a huge stockpile. This includes diesel, petrol and octane. According to the instructions, the stockpiled oil is supposed to be sold at the old price, but there have been allegations that it is not being fully followed. However, a filling station authority has claimed that they have not received any clear instructions from the administration regarding selling at the old price.
On the other hand, in Kurigram, the fuel oil crisis along with the new price hike has created mixed reactions in public life. Locals fear that even if the crowd decreases slightly, the pressure on the working people will increase. According to many, the increase in oil prices in this economically backward district will directly affect the transport, agriculture and daily necessities markets. There is already instability in the prices of various products including soybean oil in the market.
The fuel crisis continues in Chittagong too. Several petrol pumps have not yet started supplying sufficient fuel. As a result, drivers and ordinary customers have to stand in long queues. Drivers said that they have been standing in queues since morning but are not getting fuel even after waiting for hours. This is disrupting their daily transportation activities and increasing their expenses.
A driver said, even if the price increases, we will have to buy fuel. The cost will increase, but we have to move forward. Another said, they have not received fuel even after waiting since 7 am. Due to the combined effect of fuel supply crisis and price hike, ordinary people across the country are suffering immensely. In some places, there is a shortage of supply, in some places there is complexity in administrative instructions, and in some places there is a pressure of long queues—all of which together make the situation still not normal.